Kiwis can’t wait to hit the road this summer

Kiwis have more travel on the cards this summer compared to last year, with almost three in five Kiwis travelling within New Zealand or abroad this holiday season.

According to the latest Fly Buys/Colmar Brunton Mood of the New Zealand Traveller survey, released by the Tourism Industry Association, 52% of Kiwis are planning to travel within New Zealand over the Christmas and New Year period (46% in 2010) and 6% are travelling overseas (5% in 2010). On average, these Kiwis will be away for 7.4 nights.

TIA Chief Executive Tim Cossar says the 6%-points increase in the number of Kiwis planning to travel within New Zealand this holiday period is great news for Kiwi businesses.

“We think this significant increase is due in part to pent up demand from New Zealanders who didn’t travel during the Rugby World Cup. It was great to see the huge influx of international visitors here for the Cup, now we can look forward to a busy summer for the industry as well, fuelled by domestic travel numbers,” he says.

Fly Buys Chief Executive Lance Walker says we’re a nation of travel lovers and most would love to see even more of the country if they could.

“The survey found 69% of us would like to travel around New Zealand more than they’re planning to over the next six months. When it comes to the reasons why, 72% say finances are holding them back, 51% are too busy at work and 25% can’t travel more due to family commitments.

“But these barriers aren’t stopping us travelling by any means. Over the next six months, 80% of the country intend to go away for at least one night or more within New Zealand and 45% intend to travel overseas,” Mr Walker says.

The survey found Wellington is the domestic destination New Zealanders would most like to visit over the next six months, followed by Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch and Rotorua.

Dick Brunton, Executive Chairman of Colmar Brunton says Wellington has remained the number one domestic destination for Kiwis for quite some time.

“Since the quarterly survey began in September 2009, Wellington has been the top national hotspot, only being beaten once by Christchurch in the first quarter of 2010,” he says.

Respondents said their main reasons for travelling to Wellington over the next six months are to visit friends and family (69%), to do something different (33%), and to relax (30%). The survey also found one in four New Zealanders planning to visit the Bay of Plenty in the next six months have changed some aspect of their plans due to the Rena disaster.

When it comes to international hotspots, Australia remains our number one destination for summer/autumn holidays, followed by Fiji (3rd in September 2011), UK (4th in September 2011), USA (2nd in September 2011), and Rarotonga (5th in September 2011).

Other information
• 47% of Kiwis say they would fly on Christmas Day to save money
• Of those travelling over the Christmas New Year period, 47% will be travelling with partners, 58% family and 27% friends. Only 9% will be travelling alone.
• On 25 December this year 83% of Kiwis are planning to spend the day at home or at a family members’ house. Only 3% of the nation will spend Christmas day at a friend’s home, 1% a motel or hotel, another 1% at a campsite and 3% will be working.
• Over the next six months, of those taking overnight trips, 73% will travel by car, 20% plane, 2% bus, 3% boat, 1% train and 1% other transport.

ENDS
For the full survey visit http://www.tianz.org.nz/main/mood-of-the-traveller

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