The figures are according to the latest quarterly International Visitor Survey released by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
The Ministry’s Sector Performance Manager Peter Ellis says the growth is driven by holiday/vacation visitors who increased their spending by $800 million from the previous year.
“This latest data shows the continued recovery of the tourism sector, and confirms what we have been seeing in other data sources and what we hear from the industry.”
The survey results showed there was a significant increase in total spending by visitors from the USA, up an estimated 53 per cent from the previous year, and Germany, up 63 per cent. Spending by visitors from China rose 26 per cent, further contributing to the growth.
In contrast to holiday/vacation visitors, spending by business travellers went down by 22 per cent.
A table with a summary of statistics is available on the Ministry’s website, with statistically significant changes highlighted in red/blue font.
The International Visitor Survey is based on results from approximately 8,900 visitors departing New Zealand airports, with data released quarterly.
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