The 2019 China-New Zealand Year of Tourism is officially kicked off with an aim for China and New Zealand to strengthen economic ties through tourism.
The rescheduled opening ceremony, held at Te Papa Tongawera, Museum of New Zealand, was hosted by Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis, with special guest China’s Minister of Culture and Tourism Luo Shugang.
“The 2019 China-New Zealand Year of Tourism – a milestone in the China-New Zealand relationship – is an important opportunity for our countries to strengthen cultural, economic and people-to-people ties through tourism,” said Kelvin Davis.
“New Zealand’s relationship with China is one of our most important and far-reaching, and tourism is a significant strand in our bilateral relationship.”
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said, “On behalf of the New Zealand government and people, I congratulate President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and the people of China on the successful opening of the 2019 China-New Zealand Year of Tourism – a milestone in the China-New Zealand relationship.
China is one of New Zealand’s most important partners. Our links are far-reaching, spanning from the first immigrants from Guangdong during the gold-rush era through to today, with Chinese New Zealanders now numbering more than 200,000, and two-way trade now exceeding $30 billion. China is New Zealand’s largest trading partner.
Tourism is a crucial strand in our bilateral relationship, and is a particularly important driver of economic growth. There was an 8.8% increase in Chinese holidaymakers to New Zealand from 2017 to 2018, and China is New Zealand’s second-largest tourism market. The number of New Zealanders visiting China has also reached a new high.
The Year of Tourism is an opportunity to build on this, showcasing New Zealand’s unique value proposition to Chinese visitors – from World Heritage designations such as the spectacular Milford Sound, an area we view as the eighth wonder of the world, to a unique Māori heritage and indigenous culture, and a burgeoning ecotourism industry.”
Richard Davies, Manager Tourism Policy at the Minister of Business, Innovation, and Employment, said the Year of Tourism gives New Zealand an opportunity to showcase the things that make it a world-class destination.
“New Zealand is a unique place with stunning natural landscapes, great experiences, and manaakitanga – a uniquely Kiwi welcome that promotes diversity, inclusivity, and warmth to visitors from all over the world,” said Richard Davies.
New Zealanders have a unique opportunity to learn about China through the magnificent Terracotta Warriors exhibition at Te Papa – the first return of the Warriors to New Zealand since the 1980s.
Chinese people will also be able to learn about New Zealand in the Year of Tourism.
A total of 36 flights operate between New Zealand and China each week. Air New Zealand operates seven direct flights between Auckland and Shanghai. Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, Tianjin Airlines, Hainan Airlines, and Sichuan Airlines operate flights between Auckland and Christchurch and the Chinese cities of Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Chongqing, Shenzhen and Chengdu.
According to the Tourism New Zealand’s latest stats on the Chinese visitor market, Chinese Active Considerers are aged 18-74 and New Zealand is a preferred destination to visit for a holiday in the next three years. They also indicate that they are prepared to spend ¥10,000 per person on their holiday.
An Active Considerer is someone who is considering coming to New Zealand for their next holiday, and New Zealand is one of their top five destinations they would most like to visit.
