Empty wallets keep Kiwis at home

Money worries are the main reason stopping New Zealanders from travelling more within their own country, new research has found.

The first Mood of the New Zealand Traveller survey was released yesterday at a tourism symposium in Wellington in a bid to provide more information for tourism businesses.

The Colmar Brunton survey of 1000 Fly Buys cardholders found 69 per cent wanted to see more of New Zealand in the next six months but 72 per cent said finances were the main obstacle.

In the last six months the average Kiwi has gone on an average of 2.8 day trips and 2.2 overnight trips in New Zealand and both are expected to increase in the next six months.

Of those who went away 35 per cent used online resources to help them decide where to go compared with 27 per cent who asked friends and family for advice.

But we don't seem to be that good at sticking to the budget when we go away with 41 per cent spending more than they expected.

Of those who plan to travel in the next six months visiting friends and family will be the most popular past time followed by going to the beach.

The survey will be carried out every three months.