International visitor spend up 18% for June 2016 Year

Media release

19 August 2016

International visitor spend up 18 per cent for June 2016 Year

International visitor spend grew 18 per cent to $10.3 billion in the year ended June 2016, according to the latest International Visitor Survey released today by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).

MBIE Manager of Sector Trends Peter Ellis says the continued growth in international visitor spend is great news for the tourism sector.

“The latest data shows significant growth in visitor spend from tourists from our key Asian markets with spend from South Korea up 92 per cent to $293 million, Japan up 57 per cent to $287 million and China up 33 per cent to $1.8 billion in the year ended June 2016,” says Mr Ellis.

“International visitors from Australia spent $2.5 billion, up 8 percent and visitors from Germany spent $565 million, up 17 per cent.

“International visitors coming to New Zealand for a holiday spent the most in total for this period with a total spend of $6.3 billion, up 18 per cent compared to year ended June 2015.

“Over the last quarter the average price of return airfares in New Zealand dollars has decreased in all of our biggest tourism markets (Australia, China, USA, UK, Germany, Canada, Japan and South Korea) which could be encouraging more visitors to make the trip to New Zealand.

The latest International Visitor Survey results suggest that while international visitor spend is continuing to grow, the growth rate has fallen from its peak of 38 per cent in the year ended September 2015.

The International Visitor Survey is based on results from approximately 8,800 visitors departing New Zealand airports, with data released by MBIE quarterly.

Summary statistics are available in the IVS key data table.

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