Tourist spend four percent up in 2009; Ministry of Tourism

22/02/10

International tourism spending increased by 4 percent reaching $6.2 billion in the 2009 calendar year, according to data released today by the Ministry of Tourism.

“The level of spending for 2009 was an excellent result considering the raft of challenges faced during the year, from the global financial crisis through to the influenza pandemic mid-year,” said Ray Salter, Ministry of Tourism general manager im a media release.

“Once again the tourism industry has adapted to the conditions, and has done a great job in keeping tourism activity and spending at such high levels.”

Australia was the star performer, with spending by our Australian visitors increasing by 11.6% to $1.8 billion .

“At a time when our important long-haul markets were heavily affected by the recession, it was very pleasing to see our largest market perform so well.

Australia, as our nearest and largest market, really bucked the trend in a tough year that saw international arrivals down globally at -4.2%”.

Spend by key long-haul markets such as the UK (down 11% to $812 million ), US (down 3.2% to $597 million , Japan (down 9.6% to $379 million ) and South Korea (down 3.3% to $193 million ) were the disappointing markets in 2009.

Germany performed well in 2009 with a 22.5% spend increase reaching $337 million for the year. Spend by Chinese visitors was up by 27% to $337 due to an increase in the number longer staying visitors.

Salter said that the Ministry would be revisiting its forecasts over the next month to incorporate current global conditions. He stated that all the signs were pointing to continued overall improvement in conditions for the tourism industry.

For further information on the release of International Visitor Survey data isit the Ministry of Tourism research website (www.tourismresearch.govt.nz/ivs)