New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) reported (20-Feb-2018) international visitor spending of NZD10.6 billion (USD7.8 billion) for the year to Dec-2017, an increase of 5% year-on-year. Key highlights:
- Average spends per visitor remained steady, while total international arrivals rose 7%;
- Australian visitors remain the largest international market for spending in New Zealand, spending NZD2.6 billion (USD1.9 billion);
- Chinese visitors were the second largest international market, spending NZD1.5 billion (USD1.1 billion);
- Increased visitation from US nationals saw spending jump 18% from the market, to NZD1.3 billion (USD955 million). [more - original PR]