New Zealand's international tourists spend more
22 Sep 2008
International tourist spending in New Zealand is up five percent on the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
Total visitor spending for the year to June 2008 was $NZ6.2 billion.
Australians were the biggest spenders at $NZ1.7 billion, or 16.5 percent of the total income, according to the Ministry's International Visitor Survey. UK visitors spent $NZ1 billion, up 13.7 percent.
A breakdown of visitors from Asia showed visitors from Japan spent $NZ426m, up 10.6 percent, visitors from Korea spent $NZ256m, up 6.5 percent, and visitors from Singapore spent $NZ62m, up 6.4 percent. Visitors from the United States, China, Taiwan, Germany and Canada spent less than last year.
New Zealand Tourism Minister Damien O'Connor said the increase in overall spending was excellent news, showing that New Zealand could compete with shorter haul destinations.
"This new data proves New Zealand continues to be attractive to international visitors and that the industry continues to earn real wealth for our economy," said Mr O'Connor.
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