According to Tourism New Zealand, the Indian market shows ‘significant potential’ for New Zealand to increase high-quality visitation. It adds visitors from India are third highest spenders in the country, after tourists from the UK and Germany.

The India market has a  ‘significant potential’ to increase high-quality visitation to New Zealand that will support ongoing industry recovery, says Angela Blair, Tourism New Zealand’s General Manager (International).

According to a press statement by Tourism New Zealand, so far in 2023 total arrivals from India have increased 124 pc on 2019 numbers, that stood at 66,775. The tourism body says that arrivals coming to New Zealand for a holiday are at 63 pc recovery, compared to the pre-Covid period. 

Tourism New Zealand says that research shows there are around 16.4 million people in India actively considering a holiday to New Zealand.

“Holiday visitors from India also have some of the highest spend per visit of all our markets, an average of USD 3,165 per visit, third highest behind visitors from UK and Germany,” says Blair.

“Tourism is critical to New Zealand’s economy. It is our second biggest export earner and Tourism New Zealand is focused on attracting high quality visitors to support New Zealand’s recovery. High quality visitors contribute positively beyond the economy, they benefit our environment, culture and society too. Visitors from India are considered high-quality, often travelling in New Zealand’s shoulder seasons; Autumn and Spring, to a range of regions and staying an average of 13 days,” she adds.

According to the board, consumer research shows that New Zealand can offer the kind of holiday that Indian visitors are looking for, including adventure activities, wildlife experiences, and visitors wanting to enjoy our natural landscapes through scenic flights, walks and cycling.

“With strong levels of appeal for New Zealand and a high number of those people with New Zealand at the top of their holiday wish list, India is an attractive opportunity for Tourism New Zealand. We are focused on converting interest into bookings and supporting discussion around a direct airline connection between India and New Zealand,” she says.