A new travel option that enables eligible Chinese and Pacific visitors to cross the ditch to New Zealand visa free is helping to boost tourism and revenue.
Since November, eligible Chinese and Pacific Island Forum passport holders travelling to New Zealand from Australia no longer need to obtain a Visitor Visa. Instead, they can apply for a New Zealand electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) as part of a 12-month trial.
“In December, we announced that 13,000 Chinese and Pacific travellers had already visited, with 24,000 total requests approved. After two months, that number has now almost tripled to 36,800 visits, along with 54,000 requests approved,” said Immigration Minister, Erica Stanford.
“With average visitor spend at $5,800 for Chinese visitors, according to the International Visitor Survey, that amounts to an estimated economic injection of $210 million for Kiwi businesses from those who have visited, with Chinese visitors making up around 36,200 of visits through the new pathway.
“We are committed to supporting Kiwis businesses to thrive, and these results, which boost our wider tourism sector. Tourism is our second largest export and it is fantastic to see results which boost our wider tourism sector.”
Ms Stanford says the change that was introduced was a deciding factor in people visiting New Zealand, with 85% of Chinese travellers and 82% of Pacific travellers surveyed saying they travelled here specifically because of the new NZeTA option.
“Visitor spending is going directly into local businesses. That includes shops, eateries, accommodation, and tour operators – and this is spending which may not have come into New Zealand prior to the change. This is all part of our Government’s plan to fix the basics and build the future,” said Hospitality Minister, Louise Upston.
“The South Island remains extremely popular, with 67% of Chinese and Pacific visitors arriving at an international airport in the South Island to start their travels.
“The travel changes we’ve made are reflective of this Government’s stance – we back Kiwi businesses and we back our regions. We are relentlessly focused on making smart, commonsense, and sometimes simple changes, which bring big value for New Zealanders.”
