Tourists flock to Christchurch

Tourists flock to Christchurch

09 April 2018

Christchurch’s spectacular summer saw record-breaking tourist numbers inject more than $3.6 billion in our region’s economy, with February tourism spend up 20 percent from the previous month.

In February, figures show Christchurch received $416 million in tourism spend - the nation’s second-highest share, behind Auckland and 13 per cent of national spend, further reinforcing our position as the country’s second-largest city.

Christchurch also achieved the highest month to month growth, up 20 per cent from January.

ChristchurchNZ General Manager of Marketing Rowan Worner says Chinese New Year combined with Christchurch’s bumper summer and strong events portfolio helped attract cashed-up visitors to the city.

“Christchurch tourism numbers are back to bumper levels and reflect the great summer we’ve had in Christchurch,” Ms Worner says.

“Fantastic weather mixed with events such as the Christchurch Lantern Festival, the 25th anniversary of the World Buskers Festival and BLACKCAPS cricket has resulted in a great opportunity to showcase our new city with the world,” she says.

“Hosting domestic and international visitors has such positive economic and social benefit for our region and we’re delighted more people are choosing Christchurch as their holiday destination.”

Canterbury’s domestic and international visitors spent a total of $3.674 billion in the 12 months to February, a 9 per cent increase on 2017.

Christchurch Airport figures show a strong growth in international visitor arrivals over the summer months, up 11 per cent from last year at 205,808 arrivals.

February figures from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment show Auckland received $824 million in visitor spend, followed by Christchurch with $416 million, Otago at $395 million and the Waikato at $252 million, while Wellington took $244 million.

ENDS

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