NZPA17 September 2008
International visitors spent $6.2 billion in New Zealand in the year to June 2008, up 5 percent on the same period last year.
Australians spent $1.7 billion, 16.5 percent, according to the Ministry of Tourism's International Visitor Survey.
Visitors from the United Kingdom spent $1 billion, up 13.7 percent.
A breakdown of visitors from Asia showed visitors from Japan spent $426m, up 10.6 percent, visitors from Korea spent $256m, up 6.5 percent and visitors from Singapore spent $62m, up 6.4 percent. Visitors from the United States, China, Taiwan, Germany and Canada spent less than last year.
Tourism Minister Damien O'Connor said the increase in overall spending was excellent news because New Zealand was a long haul destination.
In August Air New Zealand called on the Government to spend more on promoting New Zealand as a tourism destination.
"There are a number of challenges for the industry at present with rising fuel prices and a fluctuating exchange rate. This new data proves New Zealand continues to be attractive to international visitors and that the industry continues to earn real wealth for our economy," said Mr O'Connor.
New Zealand had the means to compete with shorter haul destinations, he said.
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