International Tourist Visitor Days

IBISWorld expects the total number of international tourist visitor days to increase by 5.6% during 2024-25, to 77.38 million days. This growth is far more modest than has been witnessed in the past two years, evidencing that international tourism is fast approaching the status quo. The total number of international tourist visitor days will continue to benefit from the relaxation of extended lockdown periods in China. Chinese lockdowns were longer than many other major inflow destinations for New Zealand tourism. As a result, the return of travellers from this region has lagged behind some other countries. Growth in Chinese travellers in the current year will contribute to the anticipated rise in international tourist visitor days.

According to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (Hikina Whakatutuki), Australia is the biggest source of international visitor days. Australia’s proximity to New Zealand and the abundance of relatively affordable flights between the two countries encourage Australians to travel to New Zealand. In the years leading up to the pandemic, China had overtaken the UK and the US as the second biggest market for inbound international tourism. Chinese visitor days increased strongly over the past decade, due to rising wealth in the country and the marketing efforts of Tourism New Zealand aimed at Chinese travellers. The UK and the US continue to be important inbound markets, as well as other developed Asian countries like South Korea and Japan.