Revised survey provides updated tourism spend

14 November 2013

Revised survey provides updated tourism spend

New official estimates show that tourists to New Zealand are spending around $1.7 billion more per year more than previously thought.

The International Visitor Survey is New Zealand’s primary measure of tourists’ spend and behaviour, with data collected year-round and reported quarterly. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has led a redevelopment of the survey over the past 18 months following calls to improve the sample size, the way the data is collected, and to make the survey easier to complete.

MBIE’s Manager of Sector Performance Peter Ellis says the changes have revealed that international visitor spend has previously been under-reported.

“The new data show that around $1.7 billion more is being spent per year than initially thought. We’ve revised historical data to make it comparable so that people can still analyse trends over time.”

Spending by visitors to New Zealand has remained fairly constant over the last year at $6.6 billion, with some notable changes, Mr Ellis said.

“There has been a large decrease in the total spend by visitors from the United Kingdom - 23 per cent to the year ended 30 September 2013. In addition, their average spend has decreased 16 per cent. So not only are fewer people from the United Kingdom visiting New Zealand, the visitors that do come here are spending less.

“However, we are seeing strong growth in the US market. Total spend by American visitors increased by 19 per cent in the year ended 30 September 2013.”

Australia continues to be New Zealand’s largest tourism market, with Australian residents spending $2.3 billion while visiting New Zealand in this period.

More information on the International Visitor Survey is available at http://www.med.govt.nz/sectors-industries/tourism/tourism-research-data/international-visitor-survey

ENDS

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