Statistics New Zealand reveals steady visitor arrivals

Statistics New Zealand figures have revealed that international visitors arrivals are holding steady as the industry heads into the off-peak season.

International visitor arrivals were down 0.4 per cent last month, compared to 141,000 visitors in May last year.

However, in total, international visitor arrivals have risen by 3 percent for the year to date. 

The Chinese, Japanese and South Korean markets saw significant growth in visitor numbers compared with last May, when outbound travel from these countries was negatively affected by the Influenza A H1N1 (Swine Flu) outbreak.

Tourism New Zealand CEO Kevin Bowler says visitor arrivals from Asian markets are yet to return to the pre global financial crisis levels however they are improving.

"We're unsure of the impact the Shanghai Expo will have on travel from China in the short term, but our work in this market is firmly focused on driving growth beyond 2010," says Kevin Bowler.

Visitation is also improving from the United States, with arrivals up 6.3 per cent (to 11,520 visitors) in May.

This is positive news for New Zealand following a drop in arrivals of 14.6 per cent in April from the comparable period in 2009.

Growth has come off the back of bargain airfares, returning economic stability and some high-profile PR and advertising campaigns. 

Arrivals from the UK continue to decline (down 14.7 per cent), with the May general election, ongoing economic uncertainty and the disruptions from last month's Icelandic ash cloud all impacting travel from New Zealand's second-biggest visitor market.

Kevin Bowler says New Zealand is also likely a change in visitor arrivals over June/July as Europeans watch the FIFA World Cup closer to home, and backpackers watch the World Cup games in a number of different destinations.

Arrivals from Australia also dropped 4.7 per cent last month, compared with 2009 when the market was up 15.8 per cent.