Our take on the latest Tourism data (Fri 25 Jan 2019)
Visitor arrivals +7.1%pa as at November 2018
New Zealand tourist departures +9.7%pa as at November 2018
Visitor arrivals from China down +4.4%pa as at November 2018
The key numbers...
- In November compared with a year earlier, growth in visitor arrivals from Australia and the US more than offset falls from China and Japan.
- The second consecutive decline in arrivals from China compared with a year earlier highlights risks for the tourism sector as China’s economic growth slows.
- The potential for slowdown in other international economies, such as the US, could further dampen tourism growth over the next couple of years.
- Australia made up nearly 40% of tourist arrivals in the past year and could become an increasingly important tourist market as economic growth slows elsewhere.
Annual change in visitor arrivals, Nov 2018
...and our reaction
- Visitor arrivals rose by a respectable 7.1% in November compared with a year earlier while the number of New Zealand tourists departing overseas grew 9.7%.
- Australian and US tourists were the big contributors to November’s annual growth, rising 6.4% (7,853) and 8.2% (3,157) respectively.
- Chinese tourist arrivals fell 4.4% in November compared with a year earlier; Japanese tourist arrivals fell 13.4%.
Latest updates
Premium
Tourism data
Visitor arrivals slow and recovery stalls
Fri 14 Aug 2026
Monthly
0.1% Tourism arrivals In June 2026 from May 2026 (seasonally adjusted)8.1%pa Tourism arrivals in June 2026
95% Tourism arrivals Of pre-pandemic levelsPremium
Tourism data
Visitor arrivals slip but broader recovery continues
Tue 14 Jul 2026
Monthly
1.8% Tourism arrivals In May 2026 from Apr 2026 (seasonally adjusted)6.7%pa Tourism arrivals in May 202627%pa Chinese visitor arrivals in May 2026Tourism data
Visitor arrivals up 8.0%pa, driven by China
Fri 12 Jun 2026
Monthly
2.3% Tourism arrivals In Apr 2026 from Mar 2026 (seasonally adjusted)52%pa Chinese visitor arrivals in April 2026
Tourism arrivals at 94% of pre-pandemic levels in year to Apr 2026Tourism data
Tourism recovery continues despite Iran War
Thu 14 May 2026
Monthly
11%pa Tourism arrivals over the three months to Mar 202620%pa Chinese visitor arrivals in March 2026Tourism arrivals at 94% of pre-pandemic levels in year to Mar 2026