Associate Tourism Minister Paula Bennett says tourism is set to grow by 65 per cent over the next few years.
Paula says she welcomed new forecasts showing tourism expenditure is expected to grow by 65 per cent to $16 billion in 2022.
National MP Paula Bennett says tourism set to increase over the next few years. Photo: File.
The forecasts are contained in the New Zealand Tourism Forecast 2016 - 2022 report released by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) at TRENZ last week.
'Tourism makes an important contribution and is critical to New Zealand's economic success, so it's great to see such a positive outlook for the growth of the sector,” says Paula.
'The Government is working with the sector to ensure all regions can reap the benefits from this projected growth and tap into opportunities.
'These include emerging markets such as India, Indonesia and South America, which we are well-positioned to capture.”
Paula says visitors to New Zealand are expected to spend more. The forecasts show China is expected to surpass Australia as New Zealand's largest tourism market by spend in the next two years.
The United States, United Kingdom, Japan and Germany - New Zealand's other large tourism markets - are expected to remain healthy with projected growth ranging from 3.2 to 7.4 per cent per year to 2022.
'I encourage the sector to make use of this information which is aimed at helping the industry plan and invest strategically,” Paula says.
6 comments
The young tourists
Posted on 15-05-2016 08:18 | By mystuff
In non self contained vehicles are not being provided for with regard to toilets, washing facilities etc & are being expected to live like refugees. They should be charged an airport landing fee of say $30 each & the fees should go towards paying for facilities to be built. Also the businesses profitting from the tourists should pay a tax to help with building those facilities. The South Island is a pig sty in some of the more popular tourist locations.
or you could..
Posted on 15-05-2016 10:20 | By maildrop
spend zero on infrastructure, plenty on PR, sell them the dream, then milk them for all they're worth. Who cares if they enjoy their holiday? We need them so we can blame them for the terrible road statistics.
Needs fixing
Posted on 15-05-2016 11:21 | By overit
Yes that tax at the Airport sounds good. I do not see that rate payers or tax payers should have to cater for an element that travels NZ on an oily rag. Their contribution to the economy must be very small.
Sadly....
Posted on 15-05-2016 12:48 | By Dazed and Confused
one of the lowest paid most unstable hours wise industries in NZ. Shame eh
The Chinese bus tourists
Posted on 15-05-2016 15:17 | By mystuff
make the most sense. They don't drive on the roads so no hazard to other motorists. They stay in hotels or motels so NZ gets the $$ whereas the young tourists live on noodles & hot water on a budget of around $2 per day, so they should fund the facilities they require.
Tourist boom
Posted on 15-05-2016 17:50 | By surfsup
All sounds great, so now lets use the increase revenue, tax take,gst etc etc to fully fund our lifeguards that will be called upon to rescue the tourists.
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