New figures have reinforced the importance of tourism to sustained economic growth.
The International Visitor Survey results for the year ending December 2024 showed a significant increase of 23 percent in annual visitor spending.
The MBIE numbers showed that international visitors spent NZD 12.2 billion in New Zealand in 2024, including NZD 3.2 billion in the December quarter alone. When adjusted for inflation, this is 86 percent of 2019 levels.
The increase in spending aligned with a higher number of international visitors to New Zealand shores, up 12 percent from the previous year.
“These figures are further encouragement for a sector which continues to work really hard to regain its pre-2019 ground. While the annual visitor spend is still below pre-pandemic levels, it’s clearly on the rise,” said Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston.
Visitors on holiday typically spent more than those visiting for other reasons, and the increase in international holidaymakers in 2024 drove up the overall spending.
“While different data sets and periods mean some differences between these figures and those released with the Tourism Satellite Account, the consistent message across both is one of positive recovery for tourism in New Zealand. The International Visitor Survey is our most up-to-date dataset to track international visitor spending.”
Upton added that the government has a clear priority in unleashing economic growth, and getting visitor numbers back to pre-pandemic levels will be critical. Economic growth was also key to creating more jobs and higher incomes and reducing the cost of living.
The initiatives already launched under the Tourism Boost package, including those to support off-peak travel and regional tourism, will ensure that the tourism industry recovers and thrives. These include:
- NZD 500,000 for marketing New Zealand as the ‘go now’ destination for Australians
- NZD 30 million to support conservation visitor-related experiences
- NZD 3 million for regional tourism boost
- NZD 9 million for Great Rides cycle infrastructure
She also said that the drive to encourage more visitors was reflected during the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Vietnam, where Vietjet announced four weekly flights between Auckland and Ho Chi Minh City from September.
“There will be more to come. 2025 is our chance to reinforce the value of tourism to a humming, vibrant country, where we welcome anyone, from anywhere, anytime.”
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