Rotorua visitor trends continue to soar high

Rotorua businesses are enjoying yet another strong month of growth in volume and expenditure from international visitors. The latest statistics for July reveal particularly strong results from the Chinese, North American and Australian markets.

The Chinese market led the growth in visits to Rotorua’s attractions and activities for the month with an increase of 5300 visits, up 18 per cent to 34,300 visits over the same period last year. The North American and Australian markets also showed solid growth with visits increasing by 3400 and 1400 respectively.

For the same period, the value of electronic card purchases in Rotorua by international visitors increased 34 per cent compared to just 10 per cent increase across all of New Zealand. There was particularly strong expenditure growth from the key markets of China which was up 74 per cent compared to zero increase across New Zealand, Australia up 21 per cent (all NZ up six per cent) and USA up 51 per cent (NZ up 41 per cent).

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick said the visitor sector remained Rotorua’s largest employer and made a significant contribution to the local economy.

“It’s great to see Rotorua tourism performing well ahead of the national average. I’m very optimistic that the very good visitor trends we‘re seeing at present will, in due course, contribute to improved employment levels in the near future.”

Commercial accommodation statistics just released show Rotorua’s accommodation providers also enjoyed strong growth for July over the same month last year. Rotorua’s total visitor nights were up 10,100 nights to 150,800 nights, an eight per cent increase compared to four per cent New Zealand-wide.

Again, it was Rotorua’s international visitors who led the way in commercial accommodation growth with a 17 per cent increase in visitor nights compared to three per cent across the country. However Rotorua’s domestic market also continued its recent growth with a steady three per cent increase.

Mrs Chadwick pointed out that the district’s successful Famously Rotorua domestic marketing campaign was kicking off into its third year.

“While it might currently be getting a little overshadowed by the incredible strength of the international market, we’re very pleased with the progress achieved in increasing awareness and interest in visiting Rotorua by the very important domestic market - especially that of Auckland and our other close neighbours.”

http://www.rotoruanz.com/do-business/key-investment-sectors/tourism/research-and-statistics/

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