Fresh data on international visitors to New Zealand confirms tourism’s return as one of New Zealand’s biggest export earners.

Overseas visitors injected $9.9 billion into the economy over the year to December 2023, making tourism the country’s second highest export earner (behind dairy and ahead of meat), according to MBIE’s latest International Visitor Survey. 

TIA Chief Executive Rebecca Ingram said it was encouraging to get confirmation that tourism had returned to the top tier of export industries.

“This was more good news following last week’s Tourism Satellite Account, and reassuring as we wait for the information for the current summer season.

“We know tourism businesses have been buoyant, and their success will continue to make an essential contribution to the economy and to New Zealanders.”