Tourism New Zealand says that tourism is the beating heart of New Zealand’s economy with daily spend figures reaching a record high.
The International Visitor Survey report (IVS) released last week shows international visitors are spending $11.2 billion on holiday in New Zealand each year.
“New Zealand continues to punch above its weight attracting the visitor dollar. Although we’re a niche destination attracting just 0.3 percent of global arrivals, we are getting 0.7 percent of global visitor spend,” says Stephen England-Hall, Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive.
“Tourism spend goes beyond the economic – it’s supporting our communities, it’s helping build schools and hospitals across the country, it’s supporting small and large business, it’s bringing global experts to New Zealand and growing our industries and specialist knowledge.”
Research shows 93 percent of Kiwis agree tourism is good for New Zealand, yet just 12 percent are aware of tourism’s value as New Zealand’s number one export earner – responsible for one in five export dollars.
Takaka’s Mussel Inn pub is one business that has thrived as a result of international tourism, attracting thousands of visitors to its quirky, colourful establishment throughout the year.
“We’re a local business but it’s the international visitors – and the Kiwi visitors, in a way – that allow our business to grow and allow us to employ the local people,” says Henry Dixon, Mussel Inn Manager.
“International visitors are a really key part of our story, both for the connections and the financial side of it too.
“This is a business and a life that we want to continue into the future. And we want to keep sharing it with people from around New Zealand and around the world.”
