Queenstown’s international visitor spend surges 25% in 2015
Queenstown, New Zealand (25 November 2015) –Queenstown is again the number one regional centre in New Zealand for international visitor expenditure, retaining its
14% market share of all international spend, according to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE)
latest annual Regional Tourism Estimates.
Second only to Auckland in international visitor spend, Queenstown recorded a 25% increase in international expenditure,
up from $944 million last year to $1.182 billion in the year to March 2015.
Total visitor expenditure (domestic and international combined) for the region reached a new record of $1.688B, up 17%
from $1.435B in 2014.
The growth in Queenstown, both internationally and as a total, was higher than the national growth average of 20% and
11%, respectively.
Visitors from key markets such as Australia, China and the United States showed higher visitor spend in the Queenstown
region when compared with international visitor expenditure in the rest of the country. The results represent strong
growth in the value visitors to the region bring.
Queenstown’s total visitor expenditure reflects a split of 70% international expenditure and 30% domestic expenditure, a
change from the 65% international and 35% split in 2014.
Destination Queenstown CEO Graham Budd said he was pleased with the strong growth in visitor expenditure in Queenstown
and the numbers demonstrate the important role Queenstown plays in the total visitor experience in New Zealand.
“As anticipated the positive growth in visitor expenditure is continuing for Queenstown, showing that our businesses and
community are focused on providing world-class experiences, from accommodation to activities, food and hospitality.
Visitor satisfaction is a strong focus for this region, and we believe the rise in visitor expenditure shows we are
delivering on that promise to our visitors.”
“As we head into the busy summer season we expect this positive trend to continue over the remainder of the 2015
reporting year, and beyond,” said Mr Budd.
NOTE: The 2014 figures differ to those previously reported because MBIE has re-cast their Regional Tourism Estimates
data. It has also provided re-cast data for previous years to allow comparison.
The Regional Tourism Estimates are available on the MBIE website: http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/sectors-industries/tourism/tourism-research-data/regional-tourism-estimates/
ENDS