Our take on the latest Tourism data (Wed 12 Jun 2019)
Tourist arrivals up 8.4% from April 2018
Australian arrivals up 19% from April 2018
Chinese arrivals down 21% from April 2018
The key numbers...
- The proximity of Easter and Anzac day, making an extended holiday appealing, was a large reason for increased Australian tourist numbers in April 2019. This is also reflected in the departure of NZ tourists being up 14% from last April, the fastest annual growth rate in 18 months.
- Three-month annual growth in Chinese tourist numbers has not been weaker since 2009. Given that China has been responsible for about a quarter of tourism growth over the last nine year, the apparent loss of New Zealand’s popularity in the Chinese market is concerning for future growth prospects.
Tourist arrivals by country
Year-ended annual % changes
...and our reaction
- Tourist arrivals in April were up 8.4% from a year earlier.
- Growth in Australian tourist numbers, up 19% compared to April 2018, was the main driver for strong tourism numbers.
- Chinese tourist arrivals dropped nearly by 10,000 people in April, down 21%pa.
- Arrivals from countries excluding China and Australia were up 10%pa indicating New Zealand’s growing attraction as a holiday destination. The timing of Easter also helped boost arrivals from the UK and Hong Kong.
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