New Zealand rates high in tourism stakes

New Zealand may have one of the best tourism industries in the world but there is still room for improvement, the Tourism Industry Association says.

The World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2008 rates New Zealand 19 out of 130 countries for its travel and tourism industry.

Switzerland ranked No 1 then Austria, Germany and Australia. At the bottom of the list were Lesotho (129) and Chad (130).

The same report ranked New Zealand second for its natural environment and attitude of locals to international visitors, fifth for effective marketing and seventh for sustainable development of the tourism industry.