Holidaying Australians Boost Visitor Numbers

Date: 20 March 2008

The high numbers of Australians visiting New Zealand and the booming cruise industry have given a boost to visitor numbers in February.

Figures out today from Statistics New Zealand show that in February 2008 there were over 280,513 visitors to New Zealand, an increase of 4.8% on the same time in 2007.

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive George Hickton said Tourism New Zealand is working to maintain traditional markets in the face of a tougher global economic climate, while endeavouring to increase the value of growing markets such as China.

"We have just launched a new campaign in the UK and Germany that is using interactive media to target walkers and nature lovers. The UK is our second biggest visitor market and still a valuable source of visitors.

"We will launch the first ever 100% Pure New Zealand campaign in Shanghai next month in a bid to target the growing middle class and increase the value of visitors from China."

Visitor numbers from the US continued to be strong over February on the back of the cruise industry, despite economic woes in this market and a low growth forecast for 2008.

"Our ‘What’s On’ campaign in Australia is continuing to increase the number of visitors from across the Tasman who are spending more time in more regions of New Zealand. "

Highlights of International Visitor arrivals February 2008:

Australia: 85,376 - up 9.5%
UK: 50,025 - up 1.9%
USA: 31,142 - up 6.6%
Canada: 9,085 - up 25.4%
China: 15,433 - up 3.4%.
Germany: 10,120 - up 6.0%
Korea: 7,084 - down 16.8%
Japan: 11,546 - down 13.4%

For more information please contact:
Cas Carter
Corporate Communications, Tourism New Zealand
021 915 410
casc@tnz.govt.nz

Source: Tourism New Zealand Media Release