Overview of latest international travel trends for New Zealand in January 2015

International visitor arrivals

Total visitor arrivals are up 3% compared to the same four-week period last year.
UP: China 42%, Korea 19%, India 14%, Singapore 13%, Germany 10%, Canada 8%, Japan 7%, USA
DOWN: Australia 3%, UK 4%

New Zealand resident departures

Total trips abroad by NZ residents are up 1% compared to the same four-week period last year.
UP: Fiji 19%, USA 15%, India 10%, China 2%, Thailand 2%
DOWN: Australia 2%, Samoa 3%, Cook Islands 4%, UK 4%, Canada 25%
Source: Statistics New Zealand

National guest nights for October 2014

 were 7.3% higher than in October 2013 - the seventh consecutive month of rises….. Both the North Island (up 101,000 or 6.3%) and South Island (up 86,000 or 9.1%) recorded increases. All four accommodation types recorded increases compared with October 2013. Hotels had the largest increase (up 81,000 or 8.4%), followed by holiday parks (up 42,000 or 10.9%), backpacker accommodation (up 39,000 or 11.7%), and motels (up 26,000 or 2.9%). Source: TIANZ

International tourism generates US$ 1.4 trillion in export earnings….. 

Total export earnings generated by international tourism in 2013 reached US$ 1.4 trillion. Receipts earned by destinations from international visitors grew by 5% to reach US$ 1159 billion, while an additional US$ 218 billion was earned by international passenger transport.

Receipts in destinations worldwide 

from expenditure by international visitors on accommodation, food and drink, entertainment, shopping and other services and goods, reached an estimated US$ 1159 billion (euro 873 billion) in 2013. Growth exceeded the long-term trend, reaching 5% in real terms (taking into account exchange rate fluctuations and inflation). The growth rate in receipts matched the increase in international tourist arrivals, also up by 5%, reaching 1087 million in 2013, from 1035 million in 2012.

Very positive results as growth in international tourists

last year was equal to growth in income generated by over one billion tourists that travelled the world in 2013 for business, leisure, visiting friends and relatives or other purposes. Such results confirm the increasingly important role of the tourism sector in stimulating economic growth and contributing to international trade. These results show that it is time to position tourism higher in the trade agenda so as to maximize its capacity to promote trade and regional integration.

International tourism 

(travel and passenger transport) accounts for 29% of the world’s exports of services and 6% of overall exports of goods and services. As a worldwide export category, tourism ranks fifth after fuels, chemicals, food and automotive products, while ranking first in many developing countries. Source: UNWTO World Tourism Barometer

Asia and the Pacific fastest growing region, 

while Europe takes biggest share….. In absolute terms, receipts in destinations around the world increased by US$ 81 billion (euro 34 billion, comparatively less due to the depreciation of the dollar) from US$ 1078 billion (euro 839 billion) in 2012.

Europe, 

which accounts for 42% of all international tourism receipts, saw the biggest growth in 2013: up US$ 35 billion to US$ 489 billion (euro 368 billion). Destinations in Asia and the Pacific (accounting for 31% of all tourism receipts) increased earnings by US$ 30 billion to US$ 359 billion (euro 270 bn). In the Americas (20% share), receipts increased by US$ 16 billion to a total of US$ 229 billion (euro 173 bn). In the Middle East (4% share) total tourism receipts are estimated at US$ 47 billion (euro 36 bn) and in Africa (3% share) at US$ 34 billion (euro 26 bn).

In relative terms, Asia and the Pacific (+8%) recorded the largest increase in receipts, followed by the Americas (+6%) and Europe (+4%). Source: UNWTO World Tourism Barometer

New Zealand Hotel Market….. Sentiment Survey

….. Majority of hotels expecting to be better than 2014: The survey found that 69% of respondents believe that room occupancy in their local market will be either better or much better in 2015 compared to 2014. The majority believe room occupancy at their hotels will rise by up to 3 occupancy points, with an additional 23% expecting a 4–6 occupancy point increase, and a further 5% expecting a 7–9 point gain. 57% of GMs expect to achieve an increase in room rate of up to 5% whilst a further 25% expect an increase between 5 and 10%. The resulting increase in total revenue (including rooms, food and beverage and other revenue) is expected by most (54%) to improve by 0–5%, with another 33% expecting to achieve a 5–10% increase in total revenue. This is a positive sign for the hotel industry and should flow through to improved hotel profitability. The trend is consistent with market data which shows increased occupancy and room rates in 2013 and 2014, and could indicate the continuance of strong profitability in the next 2–3 years. Source Horwath HTL New Zealand

New $2 million fund to grow young entrepreneurs…..

 the ‘Youth Enterprise Fund’, aimed at helping today’s young people become tomorrow’s entrepreneurs. “The fund is part of the Government’s 2014 Budget announcement of $2.5 million of new funding for youth enterprise initiatives. “This is about growing the next generation of confident citizens, who can contribute to their communities and make their mark in ways that deliver cultural, economic and environmental benefits.” The fund will make $2 million available over the next three years, for projects that provide ‘hands on’ learning opportunities to help youth develop entrepreneurial skills and knowledge. “The skills and attributes the fund aims to foster include leadership, communication, innovation, problem solving, environmental and social responsibility, personal management and resilience. “Funding is available for new or existing projects, including internships, business start-ups and mentoring opportunities. Projects can be in a school, tertiary, business or community setting.” Priority will be given to organisations with a track record developing youth enterprise initiatives, and projects which address the needs of disadvantaged youth. More information is available at www.myd/funding/youth enterprise fund. Source NZ Government