NEW ZEALAND: Bay of Plenty Tourism Earns $1.8 billion Up To August 2017

Tourism spend in the Bay of Plenty was estimated to be about $1.8 billion for the year to August, according to the latest monthly tourism figures.

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's latest monthly regional tourism estimates released today show the Bay's tourism spend was up six per cent compared to the previous year.

Manager of sector trends Mark Gordon said the increase in spend was made up of $615 million spent by international visitors which was up eight per cent compared to August 2016 and $1.2 billion by domestic tourists which was up five per cent.

When it comes to the monthly expenditure, tourism spend in the Bay of Plenty for the month of August 2017 is up nine per cent compared with the month of August 2016.

The figures showed $113m was spent in the Bay last month.

The ministry developed the monthly regional tourism estimates in consultation with tourism industry representatives to create a better measurement of the value of tourism by region.

Visitor spending information for the regions helps inform investment and planning in the tourism industry by providing insight into where both domestic and international tourists are spending their money, Mr Gordon said.

Figures are based on card transaction data. Users can filter the data to get the information they need, including breaking it down by year, key areas within regions, country of origin, and tourism product groupings such as accommodation, transport and retail sales.




Tourism Observer

NEW ZEALAND: Huge Surge Of Tourists To NZ

New Zealand accommodation providers hosted a record number of guests in January, as a surge in international visitors during the summer months offset a decline in local stays, the latest data shows.

National guest nights increased 1.1 per cent to 4.9 million in January compared with the same month a year earlier, Statistics New Zealand said.

International guest nights jumped 6.9 per cent to a record 2.1 million, while domestic guest nights fell 2.7 per cent to 2.8 million as more Kiwis travelled overseas, the agency said.

Record levels of tourism and migration are stoking the country's accommodation sector.

The government's tourism marketing body Tourism New Zealand has stopped advertising the country as a destination during the peak summer months amid concerns the country's infrastructure is reaching capacity.

About 35 per cent of New Zealand's international visitors typically arrive during the three months of summer, and the government is encouraging investment into new hotels through its "project palace" initiative which helps identify opportunities for investors, with concerns about a looming shortage of beds during peak periods.

The latest data shows nine of New Zealand's 12 regional areas had more guest nights in January.

The Hawke's Bay-Gisborne region had the biggest increase, with a 9.9 per cent rise in guest nights.

Guest nights fell in Auckland and Wellington regions as lower domestic guest nights offset an increase in international guest nights.

Guest nights in Canterbury declined due to a 61 per cent fall in Kaikoura guest nights following the November earthquakes, Stats NZ said.

Guest nights rose for three of four accommodation types in January.

Motels were up 2.1 per cent, holiday parks were up 2.7 per cent while backpackers were up 1.4 per cent.

Hotel nights bucked the trend, down 1.7 per cent.

UAE: Emirates To Fly Direct Dubai-Auckland

Emirates has launched its first non-stop service between Dubai and Auckland, one of the world’s longest scheduled flights, bringing 39 European destinations and another 38 in Africa and the Middle East within just one stop of New Zealand.

And to celebrate the milestone, the first service was operated with a double-decker A380 rather than the Boeing 777-200LR that will regularly fly the route.

“This is an important development for our customers, for Emirates, and for New Zealand.

“We anticipate high demand for the route, providing a further boost to inbound tourist traffic into New Zealand that now exceeds three million a year.

“We also expect the service to be popular with New Zealanders seeking faster connections to Europe and the Middle East,” said Gary Chapman, president, group services, Emirates Group.

Emirates’ new service will bring New Zealand much closer to destinations in Europe and the Middle East than at present, with an estimated flight time of just under 16 hours from Dubai to New Zealand and 17 hours, 15 minutes in the other direction, cutting journey times by almost three hours each way.

Tourists, in particular, will now have more options - travelling to Auckland with a stopover in Australia on one of the award-winning airline’s three daily A380 services, flying non-stop direct into Auckland on the Boeing 777-200LR, or flying to the South Island on the daily Boeing 777-300ER Christchurch service.

In command on the A380 flight deck was New Zealander Andrew Duncan Mcfarlane and the cabin crew included several New Zealanders.
Emirates employs nearly 400 New Zealanders, including 140 cabin crew and 95 pilots.

With the introduction of the non-stop service, Emirates will fly more than 2,000 seats a day in each direction on New Zealand services.

NEW ZEALAND: Migration, Tourism Attract More People.

New Zealand is continuing to draw people here to work and play in record numbers, and a pick-up in growth has those already here feeling more upbeat.

The economy has accelerated following a lacklustre first half of the year, when lower dairy prices cast a pall over growth.

That has rubbed off on consumers, with Westpac's quarterly confidence survey rebounding from three-year lows.

Westpac senior economist Satish Ranchhod said lower interest rates had buoyed sentiment.

"The Reserve Bank's cut interest rates and households are really taking advantage of that. They're in the mood to buy big-ticket items and that's going to be a positive development for spending over the next little while."

Two of the mainstays of growth - net migration and tourism - hit fresh all-time highs last month.

Fewer departures and more arrivals fuelled the sixteenth successive month of record annual net migration gains to 63,700 people, while swelling numbers of Chinese travellers boosted visitor numbers to 3.09 million.

ANZ Bank senior economist Phil Borkin said the trend showed no signs of abating.

"Stronger population certainly provides increased demand. Likewise with tourism numbers, that's one of the outperformers for the economy over the next little while.

"That's one of the reasons we think economic growth is likely to accelerate modestly over the next 12 months or so."

Growth, however, brings its own problems. In Auckland, where most immigrants and returning New Zealanders end up, the supply of new houses is falling well short of demand.

Tourism providers, meanwhile, were struggling to ensure enough hotel beds and buses to accommodate more tourists during the peak season of December to March.

Ngai Tahu Tourism chief executive Quinton Hall said it was adapting by trying to entice travellers to visit during cooler months.

"New Zealand's pretty full, but what effectively will happen from our perspective [is that there will start to be a] move into the shoulder periods, and hopefully we'll start to get really a strong, all-year-round tourism market in New Zealand."
Consumers 'need to keep eye on finances'

Westpac's Satish Ranchhod warned consumers they should be careful about going on a spending binge.

The risk of severe drought and lower dairy prices could easily throttle growth and cost jobs.

"They do need to keep an eye on those finances. A bit of overindulgence now could lead to a run-up in debt, and some households could find themselves in a tough position next year if the economy does start to slow."

Other analysts were not so glum, saying earlier forecasts of the economy cooling to 2 percent or below now appeared too timid - and robust construction and services sectors should insulate the economy from any potential threat.

NEW ZEALAND: Overseas Visitors Vote With Their Wallets

New tourism figures out today show overseas visitors are voting with their wallets and endorsing New Zealand’s reputation as a world-class destination, Associate Tourism Minister Paula Bennett says.

International visitor spending has increased by 38 per cent to $9.4 billion in the year to September according to the latest International Visitor Survey.

“There has never been a more exciting time to be involved in tourism in New Zealand,” Mrs Bennett says.

“People want unique and varied experiences, from our stunning natural environment right through to up-close encounters with the film industry. Today’s figures confirm New Zealand’s appeal as a premier destination for international travellers continues to grow.

“I am particularly pleased to see that the spending increase can be mainly attributed to an increased in per visitor expenditure – up 26 per cent – which has been a key goal for the sector.”

Major tourism markets drove most of the growth, with China up an estimated 78 per cent, the United States of America up 55 per cent, and the United Kingdom up an estimated 43 per cent.

Tourism now represents 17.4 per cent of our total exports, up from 15 per cent, and is our second largest export. Tourism is worth $10.6 billion, or nearly 5% of our GDP, and one in every 8 jobs is now directly or indirectly related to tourism.

The growth in tourism, along with success in other exports industries such as international education, ICT, wool and wine, is contributing to New Zealand’s increasingly diverse and growing economy.

“New Zealand has already celebrated a record three million visitors this year, and the Government remains committed to backing further sustainable growth in the sector,” says Mrs Bennett.

Results of the International Visitor Survey from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment are available here: http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/sectors-industries/tourism/tourism-research-data/ivs/ivs-commentary

USA: American Airlines Adds New International Destination

American Airlines will add new nonstop service between its trans-Pacific gateway hub at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Auckland Airport (AKL) in June 2016, pending regulatory approvals. The route to Auckland provides American's customers direct access to a new destination and further strengthens the airline's joint business with Qantas Airways. American has added six new trans-Pacific routes over the last three years, nearly doubling its presence in the region.

"Auckland is a thriving destination for business and leisure travelers, and it adds to the growing strength of our global network across the Pacific," said Doug Parker, American's chairman and CEO. "We've seen a strong increase for demand from U.S. customers who need more nonstop access to New Zealand. We are excited to be the first U.S. carrier to offer a truly premium experience between Los Angeles and Auckland."

Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer, Alan Joyce, said the new Los Angeles-Auckland service is another example of the customer benefits of the expanded Qantas American Airlines joint business. "American Airlines is one of our most important partners, and our joint business allows both airlines to provide an enhanced network and better service for customers across the Pacific.

"American's new non-stop Los Angeles-Auckland service is supported by Jetstar's domestic connections to eleven destinations within New Zealand and Qantas Group's nearly 40 daily flights to Australia. The new route across the Pacific is great news for travelers, the local New Zealand tourism industry and the corporate market," said Mr. Joyce.

The two CEOs met earlier in the day with New Zealand Prime Minster John Key to present details of American's new service that is planned to operate on the following daily schedule starting in June 2016 (all times local):

LAX-AKL
Departs LAX at 10:45 p.m.
Arrives at AKL at 6:35 a.m., two days later

AKL-LAX
Departs AKL at 1:20 p.m.
Arrives at LAX at 6:30 a.m., same day

American plans to operate its new daily service between LAX and AKL with the newest addition to its fleet, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The Dreamliner features a state-of-the-art onboard travel experience including international Wi-Fi, as well as higher humidity and pressurization closer to sea level conditions, leaving customers more refreshed after their flight. Every seat has a touchscreen monitor equipped with up to 260 movies, 240 TV shows, 13 radio channels, 350 albums and 20 games, along with universal AC power outlets and a USB connection. The aircraft is configured with 28 fully lie-flat Business Class seats, each with direct-aisle access. There are an additional 55 Main Cabin Extra seats with extra legroom, and 143 Main Cabin seats.

The flight will be operated as part of American's joint business with Qantas, which remains subject to regulatory approvals. Earlier this year, the two airlines announced increased options between the U.S. and Sydney Airport (SYD) with American launching a new nonstop flight from LAX, and Qantas adding a new flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO), both beginning in December.

Through their enhanced relationship, American and Qantas intend to provide increased connectivity to markets beyond their key gateways.

AUSTRALIA: Australia's Tourism Booming, Supported By Weaker Australian Dollar,

Tourism to Australia from China surpassed tourism from New Zealand for the first time in September, in a sign of China's ever-expanding importance to the Australian economy.

Craig James, chief economist at CommSec, called it a "red-letter day" for Australian tourism, as seasonally adjusted tourist arrivals from China and Hong Kong totalled 113,500, outpacing the 110,000 from New Zealand, according to government data.

"With Chinese tourism rising at a 20 per cent annual rate, further history-making days aren't far away," he said. Four years ago the number of Chinese tourists was about half the number from New Zealand, Mr James added.

Australia's tourism industry is booming, supported by a weaker Australian dollar, down around 25 per cent in the past year against the US dollar. A recent industry report showed Australia is enjoying its biggest year for tourism since Sydney hosted the Summer Olympics in 2000.

The Australian government forecasts that by 2020, Chinese tourism will be worth 13 billion Australian dollars (about $US9 billion) a year.

Over the next year, recovery in such industries as tourism, health care and education is expected to support growth, helping offset falling mining investment and some slowing in housing construction as the economy searches for new drivers following a decade of being fueled by mining. The rebalancing has been slow, restraining overall GDP growth.

Mr James said economic commentators tallying factors likely to affect Australia's growth have focused too much on China's economic slowdown and falling commodity prices. China's shift from a production-led economy to one driven by household spending, he said, will benefit Australia massively -- assuming the country is prepared for it.

"Australia needs to ensure that we have the infrastructure to cope with perhaps 1.5 million Chinese tourists coming to our shores each year," he added.

New Zealand tourism still has the annual lead, but the trajectories suggest the lines will cross before too long. Over the past year a record 974,100 tourists came to Australia from China, up 22 per cent from a year earlier. With Hong Kong included, the total was 1.2 million, also a record and up 18 per cent.

New Zealand tourists, the government data showed, numbered 1,294,000 -- but up just 5.1 per cent.

NEW ZEALAND: Chinese Mega-star New Video For Safer Driving

Chinese celebrity Huang Lei is lending his voice and influence to spread the word about safer driving in New Zealand to his millions of fans in China.

Huang Lei, star of China’s number one reality show ‘Dad, Where are we going?’ is fronting a new five minute video, filmed in New Zealand during a visit earlier this year.

Tourism New Zealand, in partnership with Air New Zealand, seized the opportunity to use Huang Lei's visit as a way to get a serious message across about driving conditions in New Zealand - something the celebrity himself was more than happy to help with.

“Huang Lei's commitment to the safety of his family meant he was happy to deliver our key messages as part of his trip - that whilst self-driving is a great way to see New Zealand, driving here is very different to driving in China and visitors should consider carefully if it is the right choice for them,” says Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler.

“Leveraging off the profile of influential individuals such as Huang Lei is an effective way to share these messages with a really big audience of potential visitors to New Zealand.

“Not only is Huang Lei an actor, he is also a director, singer, screenwriter and university teacher. He has a social media following of 20 million and the teaser to the programme filmed while the family were in New Zealand, 20 years in love, generated over 2.8 million views.”

In the driving video, filmed near Kaikoura, Huang Lei speaks in his own words and style, of the key differences to driving in New Zealand.

He includes things he considers critical for Chinese drivers to understand - the need to keep left, the need for caution on New Zealand’s windy roads and to be careful to pull off the road completely before stopping to take photographs.

Air New Zealand will screen the video from November on its new ‘Driving in New Zealand’ inflight entertainment channel available on international flights.

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Christopher Luxon says the airline is pleased to be partnering with Huang Lei and Tourism New Zealand to deliver driver safety information to inbound passengers.

“We are committed to playing our part in improving road safety and ensuring visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience while in New Zealand,” says Mr Luxon.

It will also be distributed through all Tourism New Zealand owned channels in China and through public relations activity.

This is the latest step made by Tourism New Zealand to convey important information to people considering visiting New Zealand and a self-driving holiday.

“We know that driving in New Zealand is unique and that visitors may be unprepared for much of what awaits them, particularly in terms of our roads and driving conditions. We are committed to doing what we can to get potential visitors to consider this before driving in New Zealand and to keep them and others as safe as possible,” says Kevin.