Early RWC2011 arrivals boost tourism numbers in August

21 September 2011

Early RWC2011 arrivals boost international tourism numbers in August

August arrivals were up 4.7 percent on the same month last year. Just over half of the increase could be attributed to RWC2011 visitors arriving before the tournament opened.

In the 12 months to August 2011, 2,502,311 international visitors arrived in New Zealand, an overall decrease of just 0.5 per cent compared with the year ending August 2010, Statistics New Zealand figures reveal today.

August arrivals statistics showed Australian visitor numbers were up 5.5 per cent and arrivals from the UK were up 4.1 per cent, compared to August last year.

Malaysia and China continued to show dramatic increases in visitor arrival numbers over the past full year - China (up 18.2 per cent) and Malaysia (up 48.6 per cent).

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler said, “These Asian market increases can be attributed to Tourism New Zealand’s leveraging off the growing interest in New Zealand , coupled with increased air capacity from Asia .

“The 18.2% increase in arrivals from China continues to reflect the greater interest in travelling to New Zealand from this market, and the New Zealand industry is seeing the benefits of that.

“We’ve seen increases from China every month since May 2010. This will no doubt continue to increase with China Southern Airlines increasing flight frequency from three times per week to daily commencing later this year.

“Also of interest is the continued growth we are seeing out of Singapore and Malaysia. This is being driven by increases in airline capacity from Jetstar Asia - Singapore to Auckland - and Air Asia X - Kuala Lumpur to Christchurch; and increased marketing focus in these key countries.

“Malaysia (29,800) has overtaken India (28,600) as the 10th largest source country for visitor arrivals for year ended August 2011.

“Decreases in arrivals from the USA, Korea and Japan, are not unexpected considering the ongoing impacts of the global financial crisis, and the earthquakes in Japan and Christchurch.

“We look forward to seeing further increases in international visitor arrivals for the Rugby World Cup 2011, giving many New Zealand businesses a boost during the tourism industry’s shoulder season,” he said.

www.tourismnewzealand.com

ENDS

© Scoop Media