New tourism data shows continued recovery

In 2023, international visitor numbers returned to 76% of pre-pandemic levels with 2.96 million international visitors spending $9.9 billion in New Zealand.

This places International Tourism as the country’s second biggest export earner behind milk powder, butter, and cheese.

While visitor numbers have returned to 76% of pre-pandemic levels, visitor spend remains at 71% of pre-pandemic levels, once adjusted for inflation. This is due to a range of factors, including a higher number of visitors staying with friends and family, and a large number of Australian visitors, who tend to spend less.

Visitor spend from October to December 2023 is 43% higher than the same period in 2022, once adjusted for inflation. This shows a steady increase in international tourism spend.

More data from the International Visitor Survey can be found on the Tourism Evidence and Insights Centre on the MBIE website here:

International Visitor Survey (Rolling Annual)(external link)  – Tourism Evidence and Insights Centre