Northland tourism topped $1 billion in past year

Local and overseas visitors out and about in Paihia. They spent an estimated $1.1b in Northland in the 12 months to September this year. PHOTO/PETER DE GRAAF

Northland's estimated tourism earnings of $1.1 billion for the 12 months to September was an increase of 9 per cent compared with the previous year.

Tourists spent $67 million in Northland this September alone.

Tourism earnings topped $1b for the first time in October last year.

The monthly Regional Tourism Estimates released by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) shows estimated spending by international tourists increased 15 per cent to $289m between September last year and September this year.

Domestic visitors spent $816m- up 8 per cent.

Far North was the biggest beneficiary with an estimated annual earnings from tourism of $517m, followed by Whangarei $470m and Kaipara $118m.

Retail sales, apart from alcohol, food and beverages, of $213m were the top earners while $194m was spent on passenger transport.

"When it comes to the monthly expenditure, tourism spend in Northland for the month of September 2017 is up 6 per cent compared with the month of September 2016," MBIE said.

Northland lags behind only Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, and Wellington in tourism earnings.