New Zealand is 'honeymoon heaven' for tourists

New Zealand's glaciers, hot air balloons, vineyards, beaches and clean environment are becoming a haven for 20,000 honeymooners every year, according to Tourism NZ.

More visitors from overseas were discovering the "romance of a wedding or honeymoon in New Zealand", Tourism NZ said in its latest newsletter.

Joe Yogherst, a writer for US Modern Bride magazine, was quoted in the newsletter as saying he believed Americans were at the forefront of seeking a slice of honeymoon heaven.

"They (honeymooners) want a place that is both exotic and familiar. So it's different enough to be stimulating but not different that it will freak them out... most Americans find that New Zealand fits this criteria," Yogherst said.

What New Zealand offered as a destination was in sync with current trends in honeymooning, he said.

He suggested a skiing holiday in Queenstown as a honeymoon possibility for the many northern hemisphere couples who married in June-August.

He said he also believed activities like sailing, kayaking and white-water rafting held appeal for honeymooners.

"Getting out on the water is a quintessential New Zealand experience."

Tourism NZ said that last year 20,000 international visitors cited honeymoon as the main purpose of their trip to New Zealand.

The majority of these honeymooners came from Japan who made up a third of all wedding and honeymoon visitors to NZ last year, Tourism NZ said.

Outbound travel from Japan was dramatically hit by the events of September 11 and this took its toll on honeymoon travel.

However, latest figures showed bookings had recovered to 95 per cent of their previous levels.

Christchurch was the only New Zealand city to feature, making it to number 20 on the top 20 world locations for Japanese honeymooners, Tourism NZ said.

Apart from Japan most other honeymooning couples to New Zealand mostly came from the USA, Britain and Australia, although enquiries also came from China, Hong Kong and Europe, it said.

Honeymooners spent an average $3510, 13.6 per cent more than the average visitor to NZ.

Queenstown was a popular destination with 70 per cent visiting the adventure capital and Rotorua was also a sought-after location, Tourism NZ said.

- NZPA