International visitor arrivals figures released today confirm an
increase of 5.4 per cent year-on-year with a total of 2.64 million
visitors arriving for the year-ending June 2012.
"While June 2011 results were down due to natural disasters,
namely the ash cloud from Chile's Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano, it
is very positive to see arrivals growing," says Tourism New Zealand
Chief Executive, Kevin Bowler.
Statistics New Zealand's International Travel and Migration
figures reported a record number of arrivals for the month, with
151,000 visitors making it the second-highest number of arrivals
for a June month since the 2005 British Lions' rugby tour.
Mr Bowler commented the figures also indicated a strong and
early start to the 2012 ski season.
"Looking specifically at Australian arrivals, we see that they
accounted for a staggering 48 per cent of total holiday arrivals in
June.
"This clearly shows the importance of this market to New Zealand
during what would otherwise be a low-season for the industry and
confirms that Australians continue to show a preference for
choosing a New Zealand holiday."
International arrivals generated a total of 50.9 million
stay-days in New Zealand, an increase of 1.4 per cent for the
year-ending June 2012.
"This month's arrival and stay-day figures clearly show that New
Zealand is performing well despite the combination of natural and
economic challenges we've been battling over the past few
years.
"In order to maintain these figures, it is important we see
continued investment in long haul air capacity from existing and
new airlines.
"That is why this week's announcement from Hawaiian airlines is
so exciting. The direct Auckland and Honolulu service is a
significant step towards improving connectivity between the United
States, one of our key markets, and New Zealand."
ENDS
Issued by Leah Phelps, Senior Communications Advisor, Tourism
New Zealand
leahp@tnz.govt.nz; phone
+64 21 843 896