Aussies most satisfied with NZ

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International visitors are more satisfied with New Zealand than they were three years ago, according to the results of a recently released survey.

The Ministry of Tourism's regional visitor monitor found international visitor satisfaction levels increased in the three year period to June 2010, with 40 per cent rating their overall satisfaction as a nine or 10 out of 10.

This was up from 39 per cent in 2007.

The monitor provides a snapshot of visitors, profiling their motivations and expectations, travel planning, satisfaction levels and expenditure through a survey of tourists spread through six of the largest tourist regions.

However it was the Australian market that made the most gains during the period, with almost half of respondents (49 per cent) saying they were highly satisfied, up from 43 per cent three years ago.

Domestic visitors to the regions were less satisfied (37 per cent, up from 35 per cent), probably because people were more inclined to take their own backyard for granted, than if they were from outside New Zealand, the Ministry said.

About half of those surveyed across all markets indicated an interest in returning, with the domestic market indicating the most interest, and the international market the least, in line with their proximity to each market.

Ministry of Tourism Research manager Bruce Bassett said overall the picture was solid, but there was scope for improvement ahead of the Rugby World Cup, especially around infrastructure and the regions' natural and cultural assets.

"These will undoubtedly be areas of focus as the regions prepare for the Rugby World Cup 2011 and the longer-term profile opportunities this presents."

"We want the Rugby World Cup to be a catalyst for future growth," Bassett said.