9 February, 2011

International visitor numbers for the month of January increased by 3.5 per cent to 265,553 this year, according to Statistics New Zealand figures released today.

Chinese arrivals drove the increase, with 54.4 per cent more visitors (up 5,125 visitors) in January 2011 when compared to the same month last year. Australian arrivals increased by 1.8 per cent (1,740 visitors), the US was steady (down just 0.8 per cent or 177 people), while visitor numbers fell from the UK (down 9.2 per cent, or 3,466 people).

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler said the accelerated growth in international visitor arrivals from China was positive and further improvement was expected with the commencement of services from Guangzhou to Auckland in April 2011.

“We know the Christchurch earthquake is going to have an impact on the number of international visitors to New Zealand, particularly in the short term, and the effects of recent Queensland floods will be an additional challenge we will have to manage. We are also still contending with the ongoing fallout of the global financial crisis, particularly in the USA and Europe.

“The next two or three months are going to require a considered effort to help ensure we can still achieve good visitor arrivals, and vitally visitor value, this year."

Tourism New Zealand was working with industry, government and overseas travel sellers to promote the message that, while Christchurch city needs time to recover, New Zealand tourism is absolutely open, operating and welcoming visitors, Mr Bowler said.

ENDS

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