Domestic tourism leads Auckland’s visitor growth

Auckland’s tourism industry has experienced a strong autumn led by more Kiwis visiting the region, with domestic guest nights up 10 per cent in April compared to the same month last year.

Figures just released by Statistics New Zealand show Auckland enjoyed almost 30,000 more guest nights in April 2014 than 2013, making it the strongest April the region has ever experienced.

ATEED Chief Executive Brett O’Riley says these results follow a strong month of events and back up the organisation’s work to help grow the visitor economy.

“It is great to see Auckland welcoming more New Zealanders to the region during a traditionally quieter time of year and following a period of domestic marketing,” says Mr O’Riley.

In April Auckland hosted several major events that attracted visitors from around the country to the region, including the ITM 500 Auckland (V8 Supercars), NZ Badminton Open, NZ International Comedy Festival and the ITU World Champs Series, as well as several big-name concerts.

ATEED’s domestic marketing campaign – AKL: The Show Never Stops – was also in market in March with a specific campaign around the autumn events.

Auckland’s trend of sustained visitor growth during the summer months has continued into the shoulder season. For the year end April 2014, guest nights were up 4 per cent on the previous year with domestic guest nights up 4.8 per cent and international guest nights up 2.9 per cent.

Auckland’s international arrivals for April also saw an increase, up by 16,000 on last year, driven by an increase in holiday arrivals and people visiting friends and relatives.

Auckland’s strong start to 2014 will help to support ATEED’s work to grow the overall visitor economy, in line with the targets in its 10-year Auckland Visitor Plan.

ATEED – on behalf of Auckland Council – aims to expand the visitor economy from a $4.8 billion industry in 2012 to a $7.2 billion annually in 2021 – demonstrating growth of 50 per cent or 4.6 per cent per annum.

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