603,000 visit N.Z.

Press, 2 August 1985, Page 23

603,000 visit N.Z.

PA Wellington Overseas visitors to New Zealand topped 600,000 for the first time in the year to the end of April, said the Tourist and Publicity Department. The total of 603,369 visitors was an increase of 14.2 per cent over the previous April year. Earnings from their spending in New Zealand and international air fares jumped 43.8 per cent to 51183 million. Of our five largest tourist markets Japan showed the largest increase — up 33.5 per cent for the year — but the burgeoning Scandinavian market showed a 34.6 per cent jump. This incorporated a 61.1 per cent increase in the number of holiday visitors

from Scandinavia. In number terms, Scandinavia, with a total of 2900 visitors, was well down on Japan at 11,967, Britain at 41,414, Australia at 266,676, and the United States at 105,725. Reflecting big promotional efforts and the weak New Zealand dollar, growth in visitors from the United States ran at 30 per cent for the April year. Both business and holiday visitors from Australia increased 12 per cent and Australia slightly bettered its position as New Zealand’s most important source of holiday visitors, moving up to 41.2 per cent of total holiday arrivals from 40.7 per cent the previous year. Canadian visitors totalled 24,240, up 22.2 per cent for

the year to April, with largest growth in the visiting friends and relatives category — a 44.2 per cent hike. Holiday visitors from Britain increased 7 per cent,

but there was a 4 per cent annual drop in the number of people visiting friends and relatives. This is traditionally the largest source of arrivals from Britain.