Locals spend more as extra tourists spend less

Spending by domestic tourists during the March 2004 year rose at a time when overseas visitor numbers were up but their contribution to the economy was down.
A Statistics New Zealand report said domestic and overseas tourists spent a total of $17.2 billion during the year to March 2004, just 0.4 per cent up on the previous year.

The survey of spending by overseas visitors and domestic household, business and government travellers showed international visitors' spending was down 2.4 per cent to $7.4 billion.

However, spending by domestic travellers increased 2.6 per cent to $9.8 billion.

The international visitor share of total tourism expenditure was 43.1 per cent in the March 2004 year while New Zealand households accounted for 44.6 per cent, and business and government travellers for 12.3 per cent.

The Ministry of Tourism said factors behind the fall in spending by overseas visitors included the high dollar, fewer international students and an increase in short-stay visitors from Australia.

- NZPA