Fewer visitors spending more

Whale watching at Kaikoura often figures in visitors' itineraries.

Spending by overseas visitors has hit record levels, according to a Ministry of Tourism survey.

International visitors - tourists, business travellers and students - spent $6.6 billion in the year ending March 31, up from $6.1 billion the previous year.

Ministry of Tourism research manager Bruce Bassett said the strong performance of the holiday sector and those visiting friends and family was particularly pleasing.

The holiday sector was up 8.3 per cent to $3.5 billion while people visiting friends and family increased their spending by 9.8 per cent to $1.2 billion.

These increases more than outweighed a 24 per cent decline in the education sector to $472 million.

"This means that the all-important leisure travel component of the tourism industry has performed well in spending terms over the last year," Bassett said.

"As the lower exchange rate takes effect and as the education sector stabilises the outlook is positive, although a challenge for the industry will be to maintain growth in spending beyond the effects of the Lions tour."

Last year's Lions tour had a positive impact on spending from the key UK market which was up $172 million at $1.1 billion.

The increased spending came during a period when total visitor numbers actually fell 0.4 per cent to 2.4 million people, Bassett said.

Spending by Japanese, Chinese and German visitors was down by 13.1 per cent, 39.5 per cent and 4.9 per cent respectively.

The number of Chinese tourists was growing but they were staying for less time, while a falling number of long-term visitors, such as students and those visiting family, helped reduce the total Chinese spend.

However, total average expenditure per overseas visitor was still up by 7.9 per cent at $3041.

The ministry surveyed about 5000 visitors at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch airports.

Tourism Minister Damien O'Connor said the record spend was great news for the industry.

- NZPA