Internal travel spend grows

New Zealanders travelling around the country last year increased their spending, a Ministry of Tourism survey has found.

Last year, domestic travellers spent $8.1 billion, 6.2 per cent more than in 2007.

Day-trippers spent a projected total of $2.9 billion, an increase of 14.5 per cent, while overnighters accounted for $5.1 billion, up 2.1 per cent.

Ministry research manager Bruce Basset said 56 per cent of New Zealand's total tourism economic activity came from the domestic market - a base which shouldn't be underestimated.

"Taking a holiday or a short break is an essential part of the Kiwi lifestyle.

"This strength in domestic activity is particularly important at the moment while international markets are affected by the global economic slowdown," he said.

Those visiting friends and relatives were worth $2.5 billion, up 15.5 per cent from the year before last, while holidaymakers spent $3.2 billion, up 4 per cent.

The sole decrease was in the business-travel segment, declining 1.3 per cent to $2.1 billion.

Mr Basset said the survey collected information from 15,000 New Zealand residents throughout last year.

- NZPA