Visitor arrivals in May were up 9 per cent from the same month last year, Statistics New Zealand said today.

More than a third of the country's public lavatories have no soap and some even lack running water.

The New Zealand government and SkyCity Entertainment Group are giving themselves another fortnight to cut a deal on the terms for the casino and hotel operator to build a $402 million convention centre in Auckland in exchange for regulatory concessions.

Controversial plans for a $100 million 27-level Dunedin hotel have been knocked back.

Scarfie favourite, Dunedin's Captain Cook Tavern, could close by the middle of this month.

A New York Times write-up has lauded Auckland as a must-see travel destination for its vibrancy and homegrown products.

A cruise industry consultant says New Zealand risks missing out on most of the boom in the sector by not giving passengers what they want.

Tourism New Zealand is hoping to double the number of international tourists who come here to play golf as part of a new strategy to attract higher spending visitors.

Sometimes it takes an outside eye to reveal the full extent of a change in circumstance.

Editorial: The benefits in terms of new business, growth and jobs are readily apparent. The other side of the story is, however, less alluring.

Moller Architects' Gordon Moller and son Craig have been working with SkyCity Entertainment Group for some years.

Details of the controversial SkyCity convention centre deal with the Government have been announced, with the listed casino operator paying $402m for the new centre.

Adventure tourism inherently carries risk, writes Martin Sneddon. But the customer has a right to expect that avoidable risks are eliminated.

A Kiwi wedding is on the list for a serial bride and groom who are "marrying" their way around the world.

Auckland International Airport isn't profiteering and is a expecting reasonable return over the coming four years, according to the antitrust regulator.

The annual tourist industry showcase attracted over 1000 people this week. The Herald examines some key themes emerging from the $23 billion industry and why it is bouncing back.

The Government may contribute funding to a proposed convention centre in Queenstown, Prime Minister John Key says.

The Department of Conservation is working with other groups to open a multi-day visitor experience on Rangitoto and Motutapu and wants the tourism industry to come up with ideas on how to run it.

A tourism chief is warning part of New Zealand's $100 million-plus marketing push overseas could be wasted if visitors continue to get attacked in this country.

A tourism boss has defended New Zealand against claims it has a growing reputation as an expensive international destination.