Articles tagged with International Visitors

New Zealand Tourism Booms with 6% More Visitors and $12.3B Spend in 2025

3 weeks ago | 129 views

International visitors to New Zealand are increasing in number and spending more, driving significant growth in the tourism sector and economy, with total spending reaching $12.3 billion for the year ending September 2025. Visitor numbers rose to 3.43 million, reaching 88% of pre-pandemic levels, boosted by higher-spending travelers, especially from the USA. The government supports this growth through the Tourism Growth Roadmap, aiming to double tourism export value by 2034 while enhancing visitor experiences and regional opportunities.

Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand Tourism International Visitors USA MBIE Tourism Growth Roadmap Hospitality Economy Visitor Survey

Discover the Southern Way: $393K Campaign to Showcase Authentic Hospitality in Lower South Island

1 month ago | 221 views

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston announced that Great South will receive $393,000 to launch a campaign promoting the Southern Way and the region's hospitality to international visitors. The investment aims to showcase the lower South Island's unique experiences, wild beauty, rich flavors, and warm hospitality to new audiences. Led by Great South and regional partners, the campaign will target Australian travelers, particularly those from the Gold Coast, encouraging them to explore iconic destinations like Milford Sound, the Catlins coastline, and Dunedin, while highlighting the region's local events and genuine southern hospitality.

Tags: Great South campaign Southern Way international visitors Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston lower South Island regional partners Australian travellers Gold Coast

New Zealand Tourism Soars: Record International Visitor Arrivals in 2025

1 month ago | 306 views

Tourism Minister Louise Upston is pleased with the growth in New Zealand's overseas visitor numbers, particularly from Australia, which saw a 12% increase in arrivals in September 2025 compared to the previous year. Overall, New Zealand welcomed 248,600 international visitors in September 2025, with significant increases also seen from the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan. The government's efforts to attract more international visitors and boost the tourism industry are reflected in the record-high arrivals in Queenstown and Christchurch, as well as the initiatives such as the Tourism Boost package and the $70 million events and tourism investment package.

Tags: Louise Upston Tourism Minister Australia New Zealand Overseas visitors Stats NZ International visitors Tourism industry Everyone Must Go campaign

New Zealand Welcomes Michelin Guide, Showcasing Culinary Excellence and Boosting Tourism Growth

1 month ago | 230 views

New Zealand is excited to welcome the Michelin Guide for the first time, showcasing the country's food and wine to an international audience and expecting an increase in visitor numbers and economic growth, according to Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston. Michelin Guide inspectors are already dining anonymously in top New Zealand restaurants, with the first selections and potential star ratings expected next year. The arrival of Michelin is seen as a prestigious accolade that will boost tourism, with an estimated 36,000 more international visitors expected and a focus on promoting New Zealand's culinary excellence on a global stage.

Tags: New Zealand Michelin Guide Tourism Hospitality Minister Louise Upston Oceania Cuisine International visitors Culinary centers Hospitality sector

International Visitor Arrivals and Spending on the Rise, Boosting New Zealand's Tourism Sector and Economy

3 months ago | 448 views

Fresh data released today indicates that international visitor arrivals and spending are on the rise, boosting New Zealand's tourism sector and economy, as highlighted by Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston. The year ending June 2025 saw international tourism contribute $12.1 billion to the economy, a 4.3% increase from the previous year, with a 5% rise in visitor arrivals totaling 3.38 million. Despite positive growth, Upston emphasizes the need for continued efforts to further enhance the tourism sector, referencing initiatives like the Tourism Growth Roadmap aimed at doubling tourism exports by 2034.

Tags: tourism economy international visitors Louise Upston spending tourism sector international tourism visitor arrivals New Zealand Tourism Growth Roadmap

Boost in Great Walks Bookings Signals Conservation Success and Economic Growth

5 months ago | 898 views

A significant boost in the number of people booking bednights along the country’s Great Walks is a good sign for conservation tourism and local businesses, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. Opening day bookings for each of the Great Walks were up by over 10,000 bednights compared to last year, totalling more than 140,000 bednights and bringing in more than $9 million to the Department of Conservation - Te Papa Atawhai, says Mr Potaka. “Booking system upgrades - including a new online lobby - successfully processed a peak of nearly 12,000 people waiting to book the Milford when it opened on 28 May in an hour.

Tags: Conservation Minister Tama Potaka Great Walks Conservation tourism Local businesses Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai International Visitor Levy National Parks Rakiura National Park International visitors