Provisional data for summer (December to 7 January) shows 445750 international visitors arrived, around 12% higher than the same period last year (International Provisional Travel, Stats NZ). 

“Tourism New Zealand has launched activity in the USA to encourage visitation from our second largest international visitor market. The campaign aims to give American travellers more reasons to travel, showing them that New Zealand can offer what they want and so much more,” says Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive René de Monchy. 

“We’re seeing booking patterns return to more normal shorter timeframes, so the campaign is aimed at encouraging travel through 2024 and also building some excitement for future travel.” 

Holiday arrivals from the US recovered to 86% as of October 2023, a positive recovery for our second largest and very important visitor market. American visitors contributed $1.25 billion to the economy in the year to September 2023. 

Air capacity has grown to around 120% of pre-pandemic levels for the summer months as new airlines and routes have opened. 

“While summer visitation is important, Tourism New Zealand works hard to encourage visitation across the year which helps grow the sector’s overall productivity and supports businesses being able to operate sustainably,” says de Monchy. 

International visitors contributed $9 billion to the economy (YTD September 23).

Read more about the US market in the latest market overview.