The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment International
Visitor Survey has today reported that international expenditure
for the year ending June 2012 remains unchanged at $5.6
billion.
Amidst tough economic conditions, the effects of the
Christchurch earthquake, Japanese tsunami and Chilean ash cloud,
The Rugby World Cup provided a boost to visitor spend with Rugby
World Cup visitors spending $390 million in total.
While few markets showed a significant change in total
expenditure China continues to increase its importance as a tourist
market increasing by 27 per cent for the period.
"The importance of China to the industry continues with it now
ranked third-largest by spend just behind the UK," says Kevin
Bowler, Chief Executive Tourism New Zealand.
"Despite the phenomenal growth we have also seen from China in
terms of visitor arrivals, the challenge we face is increasing the
number of stay days to realise the potential of this market and to
see more Chinese experiencing the best of what New Zealand has to
offer."
Traditional markets of the UK, USA and Japan continued to
decline.
Ends
Issued by Issued by Leah Phelps, Senior Communications Advisor,
Tourism New Zealand, leah.phelps@tnz.govt.nz;
phone +64 21 843 896