Chinese and Koreans boost tourism growth

Rotorua was the only tourism resort region to experience growth in international visitor nights during November.
A 12.8 per cent increase to 84,715 international guest nights contributed to an overall lift of 4.7 per cent across all visitor nights.
This meant Rotorua was the only centre to see international growth, with Queenstown, Nelson and Coromandel all losing ground. Taupo saw the most significant international decline of 30.6 per cent for the month.

Despite a 4.8 per cent drop in domestic visitor nights, Rotorua was one of only two of the top six regional tourism organisations to record positive overall growth. The other was Auckland on 11.8 per cent.

This is the sixth consecutive month that Rotorua's commercial accommodation nights have grown faster than the national growth, which Destination Rotorua Tourism Marketing general manager Don Gunn put down to strong growth in two of the city's key international markets.

Nationally, there was a 41.3 per cent increase in visitor numbers from Korea and a 34.5 per cent rise from China.

Gunn said he was confident this growth in the international market would continue throughout 2011 _ particularly in the Chinese market.

China Southern Airlines' recent announcement that it would commence direct flights between Guangzhou and Auckland in April this year is expected to result in an additional 25,000 Chinese visitors to New Zealand each year.

"Rotorua's proximity to Auckland, together with our combined geothermal and Maori cultural appeal for first time visitors, means Rotorua is expected to be welcoming a high proportion of these visitors.''

"Willingness to travel is returning in many of Rotorua's international markets, new international air routes and alliances have been announced that will improve access to New Zealand and the new Rotorua Tourism Committee has a strong strategic focus that will ensure Rotorua benefits as the economic climate continues to improve.''
THE NUMBERS
Rotorua visitor statistics for November 2010 (compared to November 2009)
Visitor nights: 145,234 _ up 4.7 per cent
Domestic nights: 60,519 _ down 4.8 per cent
International nights: 84,715 _ up 12.8 per cent
Average stay: 1.68 nights _ up from 1.6
Occupancy: 44.9 per cent of the 184,680 available places
By accommodation sector
Hotels
Nights: 67,302 _ up 7.6 per cent
Percentage of all accommodation: 47
Occupancy: 69.1 per cent _ up 4.4 points
Motels
Nights: 41,255 _ up 1.6 per cent
Percentage of all accommodation: 28
Occupancy: 48 per cent _ up 3.4 points
Holiday Parks
Nights: 20,554 _ up 8.1 per cent
Percentage of all accommodation: 14
Occupancy: 17.3 per cent _ down 0.7 points
Backpackers
Nights: 16,123 _ down 2.3 per cent
Percentage of all accommodation: 11
Occupancy: 47.1 per cent _ down 0.9 points
Attractions and activities
Total visits: 176,976 _ up 6.6 per cent
Domestic visits: 44,215 _ up 4 per cent
International visits: 132,761 _ up 7.5 per cent