04 March 2016

Hutt Valley domestic tourism doubles since 2008

National List MP based in the Hutt Valley Chris Bishop has welcomed the release of new data showing that domestic tourist expenditure in Lower Hutt City has doubled since 2008.

The data is contained in a new online one-stop-shop for tourism data called the New Zealand Tourism Dashboard. The dashboard brings together a range of tourism datasets produced by MBIE and Statistics New Zealand into one easy-to-use tool, and will help the Hutt Valley take advantage of unprecedented growth in the New Zealand tourism industry.

“It’s fantastic to see more domestic tourists coming to the Hutt. We have some wonderful assets and attractions in the Hutt, including our outstanding natural environment, the Dowse Art Museum, Jackson St and the wider Petone heritage area, brilliant craft-beers. Most of all we have friendly and welcoming people,” says Mr Bishop.

“The challenge now is to attract more international visitors to the Hutt. The data shows there is plenty of room for improvement. Tourism now contributes $10.6 billion to the economy – 5 per cent of GDP. Tourism is vital for the regions with over half of international expenditure outside the three main cities.

“Attracting more international visitors to our great city should be a top focus for our community leaders and I’m keen to work with them to make sure the Hutt gets our share of the increasing numbers of people coming to our great country.

“With over three million people visiting New Zealand in 2015, 10 per cent more than the year before, it is vital that Hutt businesses are well positioned to make the most of that growth and ensure they spend time and money in the Hutt Valley.

“The New Zealand Tourism Dashboard will allow Hutt businesses to see how we are doing locally, where visitors are staying, and what they are spending money on. The data is extensive and very easy to use. It means businesses will be able to identify trends, target certain markets and ready themselves for visitors. I’m encouraging all Hutt businesses to check it out.”

The New Zealand Tourism Dashboard can be found here: http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/sectors-industries/tourism/tourism-research-data/the-new-zealand-tourism-dashboard

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