While visitor numbers to New Zealand grew 6 per cent in the year to April, there were fewer visitors from Asia, which has been hardest hit by severe acute respiratory syndrome.
According to a report released today by Statistics New Zealand, the effect was two-way, with fewer New Zealanders choosing to holiday in Hong Kong (down 1500), Taiwan (down 400) and China and Singapore (both down 1000).
These four countries have all been affected by the virus, which has killed 643 people, and infected thousands more worldwide.
The report was welcomed by Tourism New Zealand and Minister of Tourism Mark Burton, who said while the figures showed the virus was having "some impact" the numbers were "very encouraging indeed".
There were 150,400 short-term overseas visitors to New Zealand in April 2003, up 6500 on the same time last year -- probably due in part to the fact that Easter fell in April this year.
However, the combined number of visitors for March and April 2003 was down 2100 on last year.
While this amounted to a less than one per cent drop, it contrasted with increases of five to 11 per cent in each of the previous three years.
There were major increases in visitor numbers from two of New Zealand's major markets in April 2003: 13,300 more visitors from Australia (a gain of 28 per cent) and 6200 more from Britain (a 47 per cent increase).
However, there were fewer visitors from most Asian countries, including Thailand (down 3500), Korea (2900), Japan (2300), Taiwan (2100) and China (1700).
In the year ended April 2003, there were 2.069 million visitor arrivals, up 123,400 or six per cent on last year.
Holidaymakers accounted for 52 per cent, while 26 per cent came to visit friends and relatives and 10 per cent were on business.
New Zealanders departed on 1.293 million short-term trips in the year ending April -- up two per cent on 2002, with Australia appearing to gain at the expense of Asia.
There was a dramatic increase in the net gain of permanent and long-term (PLT) arrivals for the year.
There were 98,200 permanent and long-term arrivals (up 8300) and 56,100 departures (down 5700) in 2003, resulting in a net gain of 42,000 -- an increase of 50 per cent on 2002.
There were significant net inflows from China (15,400), India (6300), South Africa and Japan (both 2300), Korea (2100) and Fiji (1900).
The net increase of migrants from Britain was nearly double on last year at 3900.
The net number of people leaving for Australia dropped from 15,400 last year to 10,600 -- a far cry from the mass exodus in 2001, which lead to a net loss of 31,100.
In a statement, Mr Burton noted there had been "understandable concern about the political consequences of Sars for New Zealand tourism".
He likened the impact on the industry to that of terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001 attacks and in Bali last year.
"It was essential then for the government and the sector to work in partnership to ensure that a consistent, calm assessment of the situation was communicated...
"It is this clear focus which has positioned the industry to confront such short-term issues as Sars."
However, he warned there was no room for "complacency or arrogance" in managing the threat, and ongoing vigilance was needed.
Tourism New Zealand chief executive George Hickton said the timing of the Easter holidays this year had undoubtedly pushed travel plans forward to April.
"The global situation may have also encouraged Australian visitors to travel more closely to home."
The increase in visitors from Britain was especially welcome as they were "higher spenders", resulting in "quite substantial increases in foreign exchange earnings", he said.
- NZPA
Sars fails to dent NZ tourism
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.