KEY POINTS:
International visitors spent $6.4 billion while in New Zealand last year, Tourism Minister Damien O'Connor said today.
This was 4 per cent up on the previous year's spending.
Mr O'Connor said the top dollars were spent by tourists from Australia ($1.5b), United Kingdom ($950m) and United States ($700m).
Spending by tourists from China and South Korea also increased last year after a recent dip.
"The data provides strong evidence that even in the face of a high currency the tourism industry continues to earn real wealth for New Zealand," Mr O'Connor said.
- NZPA
