September 17th, 2024
The tourism industry in New Zealand is rebounding after being heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent border closures. The latest data from Statistics New Zealand shows a steady increase in visitor arrivals to the country.
Before the pandemic, the number of visitor arrivals had been increasing consistently, peaking in December 2019 with 528,219 arrivals. However, as the COVID-19 crisis escalated, New Zealand closed its borders to visitors, and the number of tourist arrivals plummeted. In April 2020, only 1,721 visitors arrived, followed by just 2,189 in May.
Throughout 2021, there were some fluctuations in visitor arrivals due to the opening and closing of the trans-Tasman travel bubble with Australia. In April and May 2021, visitor numbers reached 31,931 and 57,605, respectively, before dropping again in July.
Since then, New Zealand has continued to ease its border restrictions. By March 2022, visitor arrivals reached 28,624, and by June 2022, they increased to 94,648. The trend continued, with 134,175 arrivals in July 2022 and 129,753 in August 2022, indicating a steady recovery in the tourism sector.
In the latest data available, visitor arrivals reached 161,631 in October 2022, followed by a significant increase to 231,313 in November 2022. The upward trend persisted, with 359,855 arrivals in December 2022 and 265,388 in January 2023.
While the current visitor numbers are still below pre-pandemic levels, the continuous upward trend provides a positive outlook for the industry. As global vaccination efforts progress and travel restrictions continue to ease, New Zealand's tourism sector can anticipate a more robust recovery in the coming months and years.
However, it is important to note that the recovery might not be uniform across all sectors of the tourism industry, and businesses will need to adapt to the changing landscape. With new travel trends emerging, such as increased interest in sustainable tourism and remote work, the industry must evolve to cater to these new preferences.
New Zealand's tourism industry is rebounding, with visitor numbers steadily rising. As the world continues to adapt to the new normal, it is crucial for the industry to remain flexible and resilient in the face of ongoing challenges.
New Zealand's tourism sector is set for a significant boost in the coming years, according to the 2019 international tourism forecast by the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment. Visitor arrivals are anticipated to grow at an annual rate of 4%, reaching 5.1 million visitors in 2025, up from 3.9 million in 2018. As a result, total international spending is projected to reach $15.0 billion in 2025, a 34% increase from 2018.
Australia remains the largest visitor market for New Zealand, contributing more than 1.5 million visitors in 2018. The forecast shows that this market will continue its robust growth, increasing by 19% by 2025.
China, another crucial market for New Zealand, is expected to see its visitor numbers grow by 55% during the forecast period, rising from 449,000 in 2018 to 696,000 by 2025. While Australia will maintain its position as the largest market in terms of spending, China is predicted to narrow the gap by 2025.