Firms urged to adapt for Asian visitors

Aussies are spending less and tourism operators in the Southern Lakes district need business plans to cater for emerging Asian markets, says the Tourism Industry Association.About 70 Queenstown and Wanaka-based tourism operators met yesterday as part of a national roadshow by the association to gauge the state of the industry.

The "free and frank" discussion was held behind closed doors but association chief executive Tim Cossar – speaking after the four-hour summit – said the industry was in the midst of a tough international and domestic market.United Kingdom, European, United States and Canadian visitor numbers were down and Australians were spending less.

Fuel prices had increased in New Zealand and the exchange rate was "a curly one".Delegates told the association about rapid changes in visitor profiles, with more people starting to arrive in New Zealand from southeast Asia, China and India.

"Markets are changing very rapidly, the market mix has changed really fast, Europe, the UK and the US is no longer the same so businesses have to adapt very quickly. "Aussies were spending less but the number of people visiting New Zealand from across the ditch was on a par with previous years.

Source = stuff.co.nz