What is international tourism worth to New Zealand?

International tourism is now New Zealand's largest export earner, surpassing our traditional, primary industries.

In the year ended January 2009, New Zealand welcomed 2.449 million, a decrease of 0.9% from the previous year.

International visitors contributed $5.9 billion in expenditure in the year ended December 2008.

181,000 people are employed in tourism related roles in New Zealand or 1 in 10 people.*

* Figures for the year ended March 2008 will be published in mid-2009.

Source: Ministry of Tourism, Tourism Satellite Account, International Visitor Arrivals January 2009, International Visitor Survey December 2008.