Kiwis regain the travel bug as economy picks up

New Zealanders are starting to make more travel plans as the effects of the recession recede, research shows.

Forty per cent of New Zealanders plan an overseas trip in the next six months and 510,000 are planning a skiing trip, according to the Colmar Brunton Mood of the New Zealand Traveller Survey, released by the Tourism Industry Association.

About 39 per cent of New Zealanders are planning to spend more on travel compared with last winter.

The survey also showed Wellington is the most popular autumn-winter domestic holiday destination, followed by Christchurch, Auckland, Queenstown and Nelson.

Australia remains the most popular autumn-winter international holiday destination, then the United States, United Kingdom, Fiji and Rarotonga.

About 83 per cent of adult New Zealanders are planning to take an overnight trip in the next six months.

For 72 per cent of New Zealanders, finding a good value flight or accommodation deal affects whether or not they decide to go on holiday.

Tourism Industry Association chief executive Tim Cossar said skifields and mountain communities should be in for a bumper season.

Trenz, New Zealand's largest international tourism trade event started in Auckland on Monday, giving the industry the opportunity to promote its products and boost returns.

About 1200 people are expected to attend, including 260 providers of accommodation, transport, activities and attractions.

More than 270 international buyers are expected to attend Trenz to purchase products at wholesale rates, to include them in brochures, websites, and itineraries for the coming seasons.

- NZPA