20 March 2012

Auckland Leaps 21 Per Cent In Domestic Overnight Trips In 2011

Kiwis visited Auckland in droves in 2011 with the city enjoying a 21 per cent increase in annual overnight trips – almost double the national increase of 11.3 per cent.

According to the latest results from the Domestic Tourism Survey, Auckland secured over 2 million overnight trips in 2011 – an increase of more than 350,000 trips compared to 2010.

New Zealand’s largest city saw holiday trips increase 27 per cent on last year and business trips jump 29 per cent.

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development Ltd (ATEED) Manager Tourism Jason Hill says this surge in visitation highlights the importance of domestic tourism.

“Domestic travel underpins the New Zealand tourism industry and to see healthy growth in the sector is great, especially during this tough economic climate,” says Mr Hill.

“Rugby World Cup was an obvious driver for domestic visitation last year, but it’s heartening to see business travel also making such an impact,” he adds.

The increase in domestic tourism aligns with ATEED’s new ten year Auckland Visitor Plan, which aims to significantly grow domestic tourism receipts over the next decade.

Tourism is big business in Auckland, generating in excess of $3 billion of GDP per annum and supporting more than 50,000 full time jobs.

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ATEED was established by the Auckland Council to improve New Zealand’s economic prosperity by helping lead the successful transformation of Auckland’s economy.

ENDS