(TAN): Kiwis travelling around New Zealand may spend up to 18% more over January than the year before, shows the latest scenario modelling released by Tourism New Zealand.
The modelling also shows that If trans-Tasman borders were to open by a pragmatic estimate of January 2021, this could see Australian visitors grow the Kiwi economy by USD 1 billion by September 2021, creating much needed employment for New Zealand.
According to Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Stephen England-Hall, while there are currently uncertainties that will dictate how much time the recovery takes, “If we have visibility of these variables, we can take action to influence them to have positive outcomes for the country’s economic recovery, like the work we are doing to encourage domestic tourism.”
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The latest data from across New Zealand shows that Kiwis are supporting New Zealand’s economic recovery by exploring New Zealand.
England-Hall adds, “Although August domestic visitor spend remained flat compared with last year, given Aucklanders were unable to travel for a large part of the month it actually is an incredibly encouraging result.”
Domestic visitation has increased in the July school holiday period across all regions, the September school holidays will likely see a similar increase, expected England-Hall.
Pre-Covid, domestic tourism accounted for 60% of tourism’s total contribution to the New Zealand economy. New Zealanders previously spent USD nine billion on overseas travel per year.
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England-Hall adds, “We’re working hard to encourage domestic tourism and capturing this spend will be critical to the sector’s recovery. It’s crucial that tourism also provides lasting benefits to our communities and enriches New Zealand. “
In April, Tourism New Zealand was asked by the government to help kickstart domestic tourism to help the sector recover. Six months on, Tourism New Zealand’s Do Something New, New Zealand campaign has successfully driven demand to the tourism sector right across New Zealand, claims Tourism New Zealand.
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