Overseas visitors boost economy

Press, 14 October 1985, Page 40

Overseas visitors boost economy

By

OLIVER RIDDELL

in Wellington

Overseas visitors contributed more than $1271 million to the New Zealand economy during the July 1984-85 year, an increase of 44.7 per cent ($568.1 million) on the July 1983-84 year. Total overseas arrivals during the July 1984-85 year were 621,229, an increase of 15.2 per cent (81,983) on the July 1983-84 year. Details from the Tourist and Publicity Department showed that the most significant growth was in holiday arrivals, up 20.7 per cent. This was described by the Minister of Tourism, Mr Moore, as a sign that tourist industry promotions overseas were succeeding in

reaching this important segment of the visitor market. The Australian market continued to show strong growth, with arrivals for the July year up 18.6 per cent on the previous year. However, the high value of the New Zealand dollar as against the Australian dollar meant fewer Australians were likely to visit in the near future.

There were 279,093 Australian visitors in the July 1984-85 year, which represented nearly 45 per cent of all visitors. Visitors from the United States during July itself rose by 8.2 per cent on July, 1984.

Mr Moore said this had been a satisfactory recovery from the monthly decrease

in United States arrivals recorded in June, particularly as holiday makers were 24.3 per cent up for the month. Total United States visitors for the July 1984-85 year were 106,449, an increase of 8.2 per cent (10,864) on the July 1983-84 year. Japanese arrivals for the July year were 48,576, up 30 per cent (14,573) on the July 1983-84 year. Visitors from the fourth biggest market, Britain, were up 4.1 per cent, with rises in the smaller markets too — West Germany up 10.4 per cent, France up 22.5 per cent, the Netherlands up 11.6 per cent, and Scandinavia up 33.7 per cent — over the previous year.