N.Z. popularity up with Aust., Japanese tourists

Press, 25 September 1989, Page 4

N.Z. popularity up with Aust., Japanese tourists

By

DAVE WILSON

The latest visitor-arrival statistics indicate that New Zealand is regaining popularity with Australians and Japanese, but the market from the United States and Canada is still quiet. According to the Tourist and Publicity Department total visitor arrivals in New Zealand in July represented a 4.2 per cent increase on the same month last year. The July figures are the latest available and show 63,000 visitor arrivals. A department spokeswoman, Mrs Valerie Jeal,

said Australian arrivals were up 14 per cent and the Japanese market continued to show strong growth, up 16 per cent.

Visitor numbers from the United States and Canada, however continued to decline, compared with July last year. Arrivals from the United States were down 26 per cent and the Canadian market was down 30 per cent.

Growth in the Japanese market comes after five quiet months. The European market, particularly the French Bicentennial celebrations, benefited by a switch in visitor interest

by Japanese and North American tourists. Mrs Jeal said the South Pacific had its year last year, particularly as Americans visited the Australian Bicentennial and Expo at Brisbane. Travel initiatives are now being tried in the Northern Hemisphere to boost visitor numbers to New Zealand. The Commonwealth Games and next year’s 1990 celebrations will be heavily promoted. The July statistics indicated steady growth in visitors to New Zealand from Europe, British arrivals up 21 per cent and West Germany

arrivals up 33 per cent. Arrivals from Australia and Britain are expected to soar next year after a promotional campaign to lure home expatriate New Zealanders for the 1990 events.

August arrival figures are expected to be known later this month. The local travel industry aleady had a greater feeling of confidence with improved forward bookings from October onwards, said Mrs Jeal. During the year ended July, 1989, New Zealand had 876,171 overseas visitors, representing a 1.2 per cent increase on the previous July year.