Visitor arrivals down

Earlier Easter holidays saw visitor arrivals down 4 per cent in April but Iceland's volcanic eruption also hit travelling numbers during the month, says Statistics NZ.

Although the holidays started on April 2, many people travel shortly before holiday periods begin.

Visitor arrivals, at 188,000, were down from 195,900 in April last year.

More visitors arrived from Korea, up 1300, but 3700 fewer came from Britain and 2100 fewer from the United States.

New Zealand residents left on 163,000 overseas trips, similar to the 162,400 in April 2009.

- NZPA