The latest international visitor survey shows that the total annual visitor spend has remained constant, with total visitor expenditure of $5.5 billion for the 12 months ending June 2013. The average spend per visitor of $2,300 remains unchanged.
WELLINGTON – The results, released by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment show a nominal 1.0 per cent decrease in total annual spend, reflecting an improvement in visitor spend for the first six months of this calendar year. The previous survey release, for the year ending March 2013, reported a 2.0 per cent decrease in total expenditure, and prior to that the survey results for the year ended December 2013 showed a 6.0 per cent decrease.
The top five markets by spend remain unchanged. Australia continues to be New Zealand’s largest tourism market with a total spend of $1.6 billion for the 12 months. Compared to a year earlier, spend by Chinese visitors increased 24.0 per cent, in line with the overall strong growth in Chinese arrivals. UK visitors spend decreased 27.0 per cent, reflecting a decline in arrivals and a change in visitor mix, with an increase in travellers visiting family and relatives.
The June results are the last to be released under the current IVS survey methodology. The IVS survey has been undergoing redevelopment by MBIE to increase the sample size, improve coverage, shorten the questionnaire and move the collection online. The next quarterly result release, in November, will be based on data collected under the new methodology and will include any necessary revisions of historical data to allow comparisons over time.
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