Latest News from Tourism New Zealand

With visitor arrivals figures improving in December and signs of economic recovery in New Zealand's key visitor markets, there is a general feeling of optimism among the New Zealand tourism industry.

Although some operators say they have had a slow start this summer, there is agreement that visitor numbers are an improvement on admittedly low expectations.

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler says that many operators are looking to match - if not beat - last year's season.

"The main comment from industry is that bookings for the first quarter of 2010 are looking better than last year and are certainly better than expected; there seems to be a slow recovery pattern showing through," says Kevin Bowler.

Latest visitor arrivals figures support industry sentiment, with international arrivals up almost 6 per cent in December compared with the same month last year.

Read the full summer update story online

International Visitor Arrivals December 2009:

• Australia - 146,880, up 10.5%
• UK - 39,555, up 1.0%
• USA - 26,379, up 11.7%
• China - 11,691, down 16.2%
• Japan - 8,883, down 4.9%
• Germany - 9,882, up 6.1%
• South Korea - 5,643, up 8.9%
• Canada - 6,723, up 1.6%

Read our December 2009 visitor arrivals media release

Tourism New Zealand's new early-bird ski campaign, targeting Australian skiers and snowboarders, kicks off this Sunday (7 February).

Television commercials will run in Sydney and Brisbane for the next two weeks, encouraging keen skiers to get in quick and make bookings.

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler says the early campaign aims to repeat last year's success.

"Last year was the first year Tourism New Zealand and the industry went into market with an early ski campaign and we had a strong ski season, with the industry here reporting an influx of Australians on the slopes," says Kevin Bowler.

Australia is the largest single international market for skiers and snow boarders to New Zealand. Last year approximately 70,000 Australians hit the slopes.

Read the full media release

Watch the ski television commercial

Our Australian market guide has been updated!
Find out more about what we've been up to in Australia, latest visitor arrivals, and the economic situation and travel outlook.

British travellers still love New Zealand, voting the country their third favourite destination in this year’s Wanderlust travel awards.

Readers of the top independent travel magazine rated New Zealand 94.5 out of 100, only slightly below the top two destinations Namibia (95.1) and Oman (94.8)

Tourism New Zealand Regional Manager UK and Europe Gregg Anderson said the placing will stand New Zealand in good stead as segments of the British market start travelling again.

Wanderlust Editor-in-Chief Lyn Hughes said the award was well-deserved for a world class destination like New Zealand.

"We saw its breathtaking scenery and the now world-famous kakapo star in the BBC's Last Chance to See series, which was another winner in our awards, voted by our readers as their favourite TV series this year."

Read more about the award win

Read more about New Zealand's celebrity kakapo and his latest appointment

Filming of Bollywood film I Hate Luv Storys wrapped up this week, with the actors and crew delighted at the scenery and hospitality offered by the Queenstown area.

"From the weather, to the scenery, to the local people, Queenstown has been extremely accommodating ... We would certainly be interested in coming to film in New Zealand again," said the film's Executive Producer Marijke deSouza.

Tipped as a big player on the Bollywood scene this year, I Hate Luv Storys will showcase Queenstown as a visitor destination to an expected audience of 150 million.

Bollywood mega-star Sonam Kapoor (pictured) reportedly fell in love with New Zealand during her time here, saying it was "one of the most beautiful places I have visited".

Read the full story online

Wondering where you can list your business online, or what each of our websites is all about? Here's a quick reminder:

• www.tourismnewzealand.com - Our website for the tourism industry. Keep up to date with our markets, campaigns, trade events and latest news from Tourism New Zealand and the wider industry, find out more about what we do and get advice on marketing your own tourism business.
   
• www.newzealand.com - This is our website for travellers, with information to help planning and booking a New Zealand holiday. Tourism operators can list their businesses and events for free on this site, exposing their products to more than 600,000 users each month. Register online now
   
• www.trade.newzealand.com - Designed to help travel sellers sell New Zealand, this website has information to help with itinerary planning, online training, news, events and a range of other resources. Operators can list their businesses on this website free of charge. Register online now
   
• www.media.newzealand.com - Our international PR team is always looking for original and quirky news stories that will keep New Zealand's profile high in our target markets offshore. This website provides news tips, story ideas and resources for international journalists and broadcast professionals. Send us your story ideas