Kiwis say: 'Thanks a Million, Australia'
22 Jun 2009
A million Australians (and a few more) have jumped the ditch to experience the Kiwi landscape, culture and attractions in the past year.
The record 1,001,880 Aussie visitors in the 12-month period (May 2008 - May 2009) marked a huge increase in Australian arrivals, which have doubled in the decade since May 1999.
The one million visitors record was an important milestone for the New Zealand tourism industry, Tourism New Zealand chief executive George Hickton said.
"In partnership with the New Zealand tourism industry we have been able to break through the million Australian visitors in what has been a challenging year," he said.
Australian market
The New Zealand Government made an additional NZ$2.5 million of funding available in March 2009 to promote New Zealand in Australia.
The Australian visitor figures showed that the increased focus on the Australian market over the last twelve months to offset reductions in other markets had paid off, Mr Hickton said.
A favourable exchange rate, good airline capacity and competitive airfares have also been positive factors affecting the Australian market in May, he said.
Dream holiday
To help say thank you to Australia for its continued enthusiasm for all things Kiwi, one lucky Australian couple will receive a New Zealand dream holiday fit for a millionaire.
The ‘Thanks a Million’ promotion will include two return business class tickets with Air New Zealand, and eight nights in some of New Zealand’s top luxury lodges - Boatshed (Waiheke Island), Treetops Lodge and Wilderness Experience (Rotorua), Wharekauhau Country Estate (Martinborough) and Remarkables Lodge (Queenstown).
The luxury holiday package - arranged by luxury accommodation network Navigate Oceania - also includes dinner, pre-dinner drinks and breakfast, all domestic airfares, luxury transfers and sightseeing activities.
The ‘Thanks A Million’ campaign will run for two weeks from June 22.
More information:
Thanks a Million promotion
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