China Fast Growing Visitor Group to New Zealand

[TLCOhio]

From the China Daily this morning, they have this headline: "China becomes 2nd biggest tourist source for NZ" with these highlights: "China has overtaken the United Kingdom to become New Zealand's second biggest source of overseas visitors. Australia remained the biggest source, accounting for 45 percent of all visitors to New Zealand, compared with 8 percent for China. 71 percent of visitors from China were holidaymakers, with about half of them coming from Shanghai, Beijing or Guangdong province. Their average length of stay in New Zealand was 3.5 days, compared with 8.7 days for all overseas visitors,"

 

With China's huge population and their growing middle class and economy, they view that area as a huge growth opportunity for New Zealand. They will seek to encourage Chinese visitors to stay longer and do more. Interesting story and angle on how NZ tries to boost this segment of its economy. Another story indicates that China is the largest source of international students in New Zealand and is their second largest trading partner. Visitors from the U.S. are right up there near the numbers from the UK. In looking at one chart from the NZ Tourism Office, those from U.S. tend to visit a wide range of locations through out both the North and South Islands when going down under.

 

If, in early 2014 when we cruise on the Celebrity Solstice from Sydney, up the NZ coast and finish in Auckland, we see more from China there, we'll understand why and how.

 

Full story at:

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2012-12/21/content_16039717.htm

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Celebrity Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 112,857 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474