NEW Zealand’s tourism industry has contributed more than NZ$39 billion to the country’s economy, with growth in spending now out-pacing that of visitor arrivals.
In its Tourism Satellite Account figures for the year ended Mar 2018, Stats NZ said total tourism expenditure had grown 7.7% over the same period last year, injecting an extra NZ$2.8 billion into the local economy.
International visitor spending increased 9.6% to NZ$16.2 billion, while the number of international arrivals over the same period grew by 7.8%.
New Zealand’s domestic tourism spending also grew strongly, up 6.5% to NZ$23 billion.
Tourism New Zealand said the tourism industry directly employed 216,000 people.
“Tourism is the backbone of many communities, providing employment and significant economic contribution,” said Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Stephen England-Hall.
“Tourism is a dynamic sector that offers a range of career paths, it’s fantastic to see that so many Kiwis are gaining skills and experience through being part of it,” he said.
Stats NZ also found that international tourism spending contributed 20.6% of New Zealand’s total export income.
Source: traveldaily