New Zealand has seen a record number of arrivals in January, signalling a welcome return to growth and stability after a tough 2009.
Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler said Australia continued to bolster growth, with 13,000 (15.7 per cent) more Australians visiting in January compared with January 2009.
But a return to growth for two of New Zealand ’s key Asian markets – Japan and South Korea – has also helped boost visitor arrivals.
Statistics New Zealand figures released today show visitor arrivals were up 5.2 per cent (or 12,622 visitors) in January 2010, compared with the same month last year.
Three Air New Zealand charter flights in January and promotional work done around the Giant Rugby Ball late last year helped Japan return to growth for the first month since September 2007.
Arrivals from South Korea were also up by almost 30 per cent, reflecting an upturn in the Korean outbound travel market which has been in decline since May 2008.
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