Big increase in tourists

Press, 9 June 1986, Page 3

Big increase in tourists

PA Wellington The number of people visiting New Zealand rose 15.4 per cent in the year to March — the highest growth rate for 12 years, said the Minister of Tourism, Mr Moore. It was the second March year in a row of 15 per cent plus growth.

In the last 12 years to March the number of overseas arrivals had doubled from 318,244 to 689,073, Mr Moore said.

New Zealand was host to an extra 92,078 visitors in the 1985-86 March year, he said. They were estimated to have spent an average of $1176 each while in New Zealand.

This meant the return to the economy from the increase in visitors was more than $lOB million. Earnings from the 689,073 visitors in airfare and travel receipts were $l.lB billion, Mr Moore said. Two of New Zealand’s main markets — the United States and Canada

— showed exceptionally high growth, he said. “In the March year, Canadian visitors went up by 8341 to 39,157 — a rise of 35.0 per cent on the previous 12 months," he said. “United States arrivals increased by 31,236 to 133,908, an annual growth rate of 30.4 per cent,” Mr Moore said.