Our take on the latest Tourism data (Wed 14 Jul 2021)
53,576 Australian arrivals in May
37,622 total departures of NZ
Future Trans-Tasman tourism uncertain from COVID scares
The key numbers...
- The first weeks of the Trans-Tasman bubble have seen more Australian arrivals in New Zealand than was initially expected, with 53,576 Aussie arrivals in May, representing 59% of the arrivals seen in May 2019.
- Wellington and Queenstown have benefitted the most from the Trans-Tasman bubble, with international visitor arrivals to the two airports returning to 45% and 34% of their pre-pandemic levels.
- In May, a total of 37,622 Kiwis left New Zealand to holiday overseas, with the large majority heading over to enjoy a quarantine-free return from Australia.
Tourism movements
Monthly tourism since COVID-19 pandemic
...and our reaction
- The start of the Trans-Tasman bubble will have provided some relief for many tourism-dependent firms. However, arrivals in June will likely be much softer as the bubble pause limits arrivals.
- New Zealand is clearly the ”winner” of the bubble, with the increase in Australian arrivals outweighing the total number of New Zealand tourist departures.
- Many of those making the trip across the ditch were doing so to see friends and family they hadn’t seen since the pandemic began early last year. Whether that initial level of travel can be sustained is yet to be seen.
- We are coming into the ski season and school holidays, which should have encouraged more Aussies to come across the ditch. However, the current COVID-19 outbreak in New South Wales, and fears of getting stuck away from home if the bubble was to pause, is likely to be creating hesitancy for many.
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