Slow Start To Summer

Slow Start To Summer

The usual busy summer tourist season has got off a predicted slow start, but it is likely to pick up.

Overall, almost 230,000 (228,813) overseas visitors came to New Zealand in November 2007, a decrease of 1,100 (0.5%) from November 2006.

For the year ending November, total arrivals were up 2.4%.

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive George Hickton says a slow to summer had been predicted, but that was expected to improve in the coming months.

“While it is disappointing to see key markets like the UK and USA in negative territory in November, Australia is still providing a great source of visitors for New Zealand,” Mr Hickton said.

“It’s good to see we have managed to maintain our position in November given the huge growth in visitor arrivals at the same time last year,” Mr Hickton added.

Visitor arrivals were up 7.1% for November 2006 compared to November 2005.

Mr Hickton said issues affecting the lack of growth include the world-wide credit crunch, fewer airline seats from some markets and strong competition from other destinations.

Australian arrivals bounced back in November, up 8.2% (5746 visitors) on the same month last year, after a slight decrease in October.

Visitor Arrivals November 2007

Australia - 75,816 - up 8.2%
UK - 26,616 - down 9.3%
USA - 21,522 - down 0.5%
Canada - 5496 - up 5.4%
China - 13,896 - up 2.0%
Korea - 8784 - down 17.0%
Japan - 15,096 - down 9.4%

ENDS

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