The Auckland APEC leader's summit is said to have been a major contributing factor for tourism numbers reaching a new
high.
Statistics New Zealand figures show September's visitor numbers to New Zealand were the highest since 1994.
Visitor numbers for the year ended September 1999 rose by 7.5 per cent, and the strongest growth came from APEC member
countries.
During APEC and the following USA state visit, President Bill Clinton complimented New Zealand as a perfect tourist
destination. He said Queenstown was one of the most beautiful places he had seen.