Tourism Satellite Account: Year Ended March 2023

Tourism satellite account: Year ended March 2023 provides a picture of the role tourism plays in New Zealand, with information on the changing levels and impact of tourism activity. It presents information on tourism's contribution to the New Zealand economy in terms of expenditure and employment. Results cover provisional figures for the year ended March 2023 and detailed results for 2022.

ComponentPercent
GST paid on purchases by tourists9.3
Imports sold to tourists32.1
Indirect tourism value added23.4
Direct tourism value added35.2

Tourism expenditure by type of tourist

International tourism expenditure increased 456.9 percent, following a 30.8 percent increase in the March 2022 year.

Domestic tourism expenditure increased 7.2 percent, following a 0.1 percent increase in the previous year .

Figure 2

Year ended MarchInternationalDomestic
20144.95.1
2015197.7
201619.65.8
2017-0.55.5
201810.36.3
20195.24.1
202030.6
2021-91.65
202230.80.1
2023456.97.2

Exports

International tourism resumed being a significant export earner for New Zealand, compared with other traditional export products.

In the year ended March 2023, international tourism's contribution to total exports was $10.8 billion (11.4 percent of exports) .

Excluding international tourism, the total exports for goods and services increased 7.6 percent ($6.0 billion) in the year to March 2023.

Figure 3

Selected primary exports2020202120222023
International tourism176870000001486000000194300000010819000000
"Dairy products17081000000163160000001939800000022360000000
including casein"8272000000783400000091420000009352000000
Meat and meat products5889000000581300000066530000006647000000
Wood and wood products3513000000391000000038270000003778000000
Fruit1812000000156500000017340000001839000000
Seafood

International student expenditure - studying less than 12 months

Included in international tourism expenditure is the component of international students studying in New Zealand for less than 12 months (consistent with the definition of a tourist). Expenditure by international students studying for less than 12 months comprises course fees, living costs, and airfares on resident airlines.

In the year ended March 2023, expenditure totalled $2.1 billion, an increase of 1068.2 percent ($2.0 billion - see table 4 under Download document and data and figure 4 below). The number of short-term arrivals for education purposes (studying for less than 12 months) was 26,628, up 1054.2 percent, or 24,321 students .

Note that the calculation of international students' expenditure when studying less than 12 months varies from the calculation of education exports derived from balance of payments data, reflecting different conceptual approaches.

Figure 4

Year ended MarchInternational student expenditureInternational tourism expenditure
2020419900000017687000000
2021780000001486000000
20221840000001943000000
2023214900000010819000000

Cruise ship expenditure in New Zealand

We present cruise ship expenditure in New Zealand on a year ended June basis (2019-2023) to best align with the cruise season and cruise traveller statistics .

For the year ended June 2023, Stats NZ did not produce cruise ship expenditure or traveller statistics. As part of a prioritisation process, the future of cruise statistics is among other work programmes in the economic statistics suite being evaluated.

For the years ended June 2021 and June 2022, no cruise ship expenditure or visitation was recorded in New Zealand - in line with Stats NZ's measurement scope - due to COVID-19 border restrictions.

Cruise ship traveller and expenditure statistics: Year ended June 2020 has previous years' cruise traveller statistics.

Employment

In the year ended March 2023, tourism directly employed 189,432 people . Compared with the previous year, this was an increase of 61,452 people.

Tourism activity directly generated 6.7 percent of total employment in New Zealand . This compares with tourism generating 3.7 percent of direct value added to GDP . The fact that tourism contributes more to total employment than it does to direct value added, reflects a higher level of labour intensity in tourism industries.

A further 128,082 were indirectly employed in tourism generating an additional 4.5 percent share of total employment. This was an increase of 43,215 people.

Figure 5

YearDirectly employed in tourismIndirectly employed in tourism
2014175020117624
2015191886131328
2016210180144177
2017208920143202
2018222192151314
2019220656150222
2020220863148392
202114518595112
202212798084867
2023189432128082

To further understand COVID-19's impact on tourism, we continue to provide a breakdown of direct tourism employment by industry for the provisional year (2023) with a comparison to 2022 and 2021 .

In percentage terms, the largest increases were recorded in the accommodation, food and beverage services, and arts and recreation services industries while the largest increase in the number of people directly employed in tourism was in the food and beverage services industry.

The data sources used in deriving these provisional year numbers will be subject to future updates. Data presented should serve to provide initial guidance as opposed to being interpreted as any finalised, definitive counts.

The provisional industry data is determined from applying employer monthly schedule and Household Labour Force Survey movements by industry to year ended March 2022 employee and working proprietors' data respectively sourced from Linked Employer-Employee Data.

From here, provisional tourism industry ratios for the year ended March 2023 - the proportion of tourism spend to output by industry - are then applied to these counts prior to aggregation to a total. Percentage changes are undertaken at the aggregate level.

Overseas visitor arrivals

Everyone who completes border clearance, regardless of whether they travel by air or by sea, is counted in the arrivals/departures of international travel statistics. Transit passengers who do not complete border clearance are not included in international travel statistics.

With regard to cruise ship travellers, based on analysis covering 2015-2020, about three-quarters of cruise ship passengers visiting New Zealand are transit passengers. These travellers are not included in international travel statistics. The remaining one-quarter are passengers who enter or leave New Zealand by air, before or after travelling by cruise ship. These passengers complete border clearance, which includes completing arrival cards, and are included in international statistics.

In the year ended March 2023, the number of international visitors was 2,199,073, an increase of 858.7 percent (1,969,703) following an increase of 335.3 percent in the previous year.

The number of visitors from Oceania increased 545.6 percent (1,044,584), following an 800.6 percent increase in the previous year. Visitor numbers from Asia increased 2411.5 percent (239,627), Europe 2430.4 percent (311,547), while visitors from the Americas increased 3995.3 percent (293,332).

By purpose of visit, short-term visitor arrivals to New Zealand changes were recorded for the following categories:

  • holiday - up 2583.2 percent (841,333 arrivals)
  • visiting friends and relatives - up 523.6 percent (725,055)
  • conferences and conventions - up 4926.8 percent (33,059)
  • business - up 680.3 percent (134,919)
  • education - up 1054.2 percent (24,321).

See table 8 under Download document and data and figure 6 below for a breakdown of international visitors by region of last permanent residence for the years ended March 2020-2023. A breakdown by purpose of visit is also included in the table.

Figure 6

Region of residence2020202120222023
Oceania1665076212571914421236026
Asia87220789199937249564
Europe5292381139112819324366
Americas46732077527342300674
Other1181263371783088443

Table 9 under Download document and data presents the breakdown of international visitors by selected country of last permanent residence for the years ended March 2020-2023 .

Figure 7

Selected country of residence2020202120222023
Australia1491252151061768051125972
"China3281452155147033168
People's Republic of"34762961235559227514
United States of America22310268557541158168
United Kingdom9106771887447033
Germany9032649655226405
Japan

The following is a list of the percentage increases of international visitors by selected country of last permanent residence, for the year ended March 2023:

  • Australia - up 536.8 percent (949,167 arrivals)
  • China - up 2156.3 percent (31,698)
  • United States of America - up 3992.7 percent (221,955)
  • United Kingdom - up 1997.4 percent (150,627)
  • Germany - up 5281.4 percent (46,159)
  • Japan - up 4683.5 percent (25,853).

In the context of the TSA, the term 'tourist' includes travellers who might not usually be associated with the term. For instance, in addition to holiday and leisure travel, it covers other visitor activities, such as conducting business, attending meetings and conferences, and arriving for short-term education. Domestic costs incurred by New Zealanders travelling overseas (such as booking fees or commissions paid to the travel agency) are included in domestic travel expenditure, as well as tourism-specific consumer durable goods (such as outdoor items and equipment) bought either before or after the trip.

Table 10 under Download document and data presents the breakdown of guest nights by origin, sourced from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Accommodation Data Programme for the years ended March 2022-2023 .

In the year ended March 2023, 35.8 million guest nights were spent in short-term commercial accommodation, a 52.0 percent increase compared with the previous year.

Figure 8

Year ended March20222023
International guest nights12160008587000
Domestic guest nights2232800027197000
Total guest nights2354400035784000

Key events that influenced tourism for year ended March 2023

Here are the significant events that influenced tourism in the year ended March 2023.

  • On 12 April at 11:59pm, all vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents were allowed to enter New Zealand and self-test on arrival.
  • On May 1 at 11.59pm, the border reopened to visa-waiver travellers and those holding a valid visitor visa.
  • In April, Air New Zealand resumed its non-stop service from Auckland to San Francisco.
  • Malaysia Airlines resumed non-stop flights from Auckland to Kuala Lumpur.
  • Fiji Airways resumed daily flights from Auckland to Nadi.
  • In May, Air Tahiti Nui's Auckland to Papeete service resumed.
  • Aircalin restarted direct flights from Auckland to Noumea, and services from Christchurch to Noumea via Sydney.
  • Qantas resumed services from Sydney and Melbourne to Wellington and from Sydney to Queenstown, with additional services from Melbourne and Brisbane to Christchurch.
  • In June, Singapore Airlines resumed daily flights between Christchurch and Singapore.
  • Qantas resumed services from Brisbane and Melbourne to Queenstown.
  • Cathay Pacific restarted flights from Auckland to Hong Kong.
  • Jetstar restarted services from Christchurch to the Gold Coast; Christchurch to Melbourne; Wellington to the Gold Coast, Queenstown to the Gold Coast; and Queenstown to Sydney. The airline also resumed flights from Auckland to Rarotonga.
  • In July, Air New Zealand resumed its non-stop services from Auckland to Honolulu and Auckland to Houston.
  • Air New Zealand restarted services from Christchurch to the Gold Coast, and from Christchurch to Fiji.
  • Air New Zealand also restarted services from Auckland to Cairns, Auckland to Adelaide, Auckland to Hobart, Auckland to Papeete, and Auckland to Noumea.
  • Air Vanuatu resumed twice-weekly direct flights from Auckland to Port Vila.
  • Hawaiian Airlines restarted its Auckland to Honolulu service.
  • In August, the first cruise ship to sail to New Zealand since the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in Auckland.
  • Air New Zealand increased the frequency of services between Auckland and Los Angeles from seven to 10 services per week during August to October.
  • Air New Zealand services between Auckland and Seoul increased to two a week between September and October.
  • In September, Air New Zealand launched its non-stop flight service connecting Auckland and New York.
  • In October, Air New Zealand resumed its non-stop Auckland to Chicago service.
  • In October, United Airlines resumed its non-stop Auckland to San Francisco service.
  • American Airlines, in partnership with Qantas, restored its seasonal New Zealand link, from Auckland non-stop to Dallas Fort Worth.
  • China Airlines commenced flying trans-Tasman services with its Auckland to Taipei via Brisbane service.
  • In November, Air Canada resumed its seasonal service between Auckland and Vancouver.
  • AirAsia X began an Auckland to Kuala Lumpur via Sydney service.
  • Virgin Australia resumed flights from both Sydney and Brisbane to Queenstown.
  • In December, Emirates resumed its non-stop Auckland to Dubai service.
  • In late January, regions across the upper North Island of New Zealand experienced widespread catastrophic floods caused by heavy rainfall, with Auckland being the most significantly affected as the Auckland Anniversary holiday weekend began.
  • In mid-February, Cyclone Gabrielle caused widespread disruption, damage, and devastation across Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, Gisborne district, and Hawke's Bay.
  • In response to Cyclone Gabrielle, Air New Zealand launched a temporary Gisborne to Napier service.
  • In March, Air New Zealand resumed its seasonal, non-stop Auckland to Bali service.
  • Emirates recommenced its Christchurch to Dubai via Sydney service.
  • China Southern Airlines services between Guangzhou and Auckland increased from four per week to seven per week.
  • China Eastern Airlines services between Shanghai and Auckland increased from three per week to seven per week.
  • Air New Zealand services between Auckland and Shanghai increased from four per week to five per week.

Key events that influenced tourism for year ended March 2022

Here are the significant events that influenced tourism in the year ended March 2022.

  • On 19 April 2021, quarantine-free travel between New Zealand and Australia - 'the Trans-Tasman bubble' - was established.
  • Air New Zealand commenced a direct jet service between Auckland and Hobart.
  • On 16 May at 11.59pm, a two-way quarantine-free travel bubble from New Zealand to the Cook Islands commenced.
  • Air New Zealand recommenced a direct jet service between Auckland and Adelaide.
  • In June, Air Chathams resumed direct flights to Norfolk Island.
  • On 23 June, Wellington moved to alert level 2 at 11:59pm following the detection of a Delta case in a visiting Australian traveller. The rest of New Zealand remained at alert level 1.
  • On 26 June, a 72-hour pause to quarantine-free travel from Australia was announced by the New Zealand Government.
  • On 29 June, Wellington moved to alert level 1 at 11:59pm. All of New Zealand was now at alert level 1.
  • On 23 July, the trans-Tasman bubble with Australia was suspended but managed return flights for Kiwi citizens and residents were enabled.
  • On 17 August, all of New Zealand moved to alert level 4 at 11:59pm following the detection of a Delta community case in Auckland. The Cook Islands travel bubble was suspended.
  • On 31 August, all of New Zealand south of Auckland moved to alert level 3 at 11:59pm. Auckland and Northland remained at alert level 4.
  • On 2 September, Northland moved to alert level 3 at 11:59pm. All of New Zealand (except Auckland) was now at alert level 3. Auckland remained at alert level 4.
  • On 7 September, New Zealand (except Auckland) moved to alert level 2 at 11:59pm. Auckland remained at alert level 4.
  • In September, Air New Zealand established a temporary daily service between Kerikeri and Wellington to help connect Northland to the rest of the country.
  • On 21 September, Auckland and Upper Hauraki moved to alert level 3 at 11:59pm. The rest of New Zealand remained at alert level 2.
  • On 25 September, Upper Hauraki moved to alert level 2 at 11:59pm. Auckland remained at alert level 3. The rest of New Zealand remained at alert level 2.
  • On 3 October, Raglan, Te Kauwhata, Huntly, Ngāruawāhia, Hamilton City, and some surrounding areas moved to alert level 3 for five days from 11:59pm. Auckland remained at alert level 3. The rest of New Zealand remained at alert level 2.
  • On 5 October, alert level 3 restrictions in Auckland were eased from 11:59pm. Raglan, Te Kauwhata, Huntly, Ngāruawāhia, Hamilton City, and some surrounding areas remained at alert level 3. The rest of New Zealand remained at alert level 2.
  • On 7 October, Waikato alert level 3 boundary was extended from 11:59pm to include Waitomo district, including Te Kuiti, Waipa district, and Ōtorohanga district. Auckland remained at alert level 3 with some restrictions eased. The rest of New Zealand remained at alert level 2.
  • On 8 October, Northland moved to alert level 3 at 11:59pm. Auckland and parts of Waikato remained at alert level 3. The rest of New Zealand remained at alert level 2.
  • On 19 October, Northland moved to alert level 2 at 11:59pm. Auckland and parts of Waikato remained at alert level 3. The rest of New Zealand remained at alert level 2.
  • On 27 October, the parts of the Waikato at alert level 3 moved to step 1 of alert level 3. Auckland remained at step 1 of alert level 3. The rest of New Zealand remained at alert level 2.
  • On 2 November, Upper Northland moved to alert level 3. The parts of Waikato at alert level 3 step 1 moved to alert level 3 step 2 from 11:59pm. Auckland remained at step 1 of alert level 3. The rest of New Zealand remained at alert level 2.
  • On 9 November, Auckland moved to alert level 3 step 2 at 11:59pm. Upper Northland remained at alert level 3. Parts of Waikato remained at alert level 3 step 1. The rest of New Zealand remained at alert level 2.
  • On 11 November, Upper Northland moved to alert level 2. Auckland and parts of Waikato remained at alert level 3 step 2. The rest of New Zealand remained at alert level 2.
  • On 16 November, parts of the Waikato moved to alert level 2. Auckland remained at alert level 3 step 2. The rest of New Zealand remained at alert level 2.
  • On 2 December, the COVID-19 Alert Level System ended. At 11:59pm New Zealand moved to the COVID-19 Protection Framework, or traffic light system. Northland, Auckland, Taupo, Rotorua Lakes, Kawerau, Whakatane, Ōpōtiki, Gisborne, Wairoa, Rangitikei, Whanganui, and Ruapehu districts moved to Red. The rest of the North Island, and the South Island, moved to Orange.
  • On 14 December, Auckland boundary lifted at 11:59pm. People travelling out of Auckland needed to be vaccinated or have had proof of a negative test.
  • On 16 December, the first confirmed Omicron border case was detected. The international traveller tested positive soon after arriving on 10 December. Genome sequencing then detected Omicron.
  • On 30 December, Auckland, Taupo, Rotorua Lakes, Kawerau, Whakatāne, Ōpōtiki, Gisborne, Wairoa, Rangitikei, Whanganui, and Ruapehu districts moved to Orange at 11:59pm. Northland remained at Red.
  • On 14 January, the Cook Island travel bubble resumed.
  • On 17 January, Auckland boundary-crossing rules ended. People travelling out of Auckland no longer needed proof of vaccination or a negative test.
  • On 20 January, Northland moved to Orange at 11:59pm.
  • On 23 January, the first confirmed Omicron community cases were detected. All of New Zealand moved to Red at 11:59pm.
  • On 26 January, the Government introduced Omicron phases, with different approaches to testing and isolation as case numbers grew.
    • Phase 1: focused on stamping out small outbreaks, with PCR testing and 14-day isolation period for COVID-19 cases.
    • Phase 2: focused on slowing the spread and protecting those most at risk of getting seriously ill. Contact tracing switched to online self-assessments, isolation period dropped to 10 days.
    • Phase 3: focused on safely managing COVID-19 at home, with self-testing kits of rapid antigen tests (RATs) and isolation only for people who tested positive and their household contacts.
  • On 3 February, face mask rules changed for Red at 11:59pm.
  • On 10 February, the Close Contact exemption scheme began for workers in key sectors.
  • On 16 February, All of New Zealand moved to phase 2 of the Omicron response at 11:59pm.
  • On 24 February, All of New Zealand moved to phase 3 of the Omicron response at 11:59pm.
  • On 11 March, the isolation period for COVID cases dropped from 10 to 7 days at 11:59pm.
  • On 25 March, changes to traffic light settings at 11:59pm included:
    • indoor gathering limits at the Red setting increased from 100 to 200 people
    • no more limits on numbers at outdoor gatherings in any traffic light setting
    • contact tracing and record-keeping requirements ended for businesses and other organisations.
  • In late March, LATAM airlines resumed direct air connections with South America and Auckland, and Air New Zealand resumed services to Singapore.
  • Building on the success of the International Air Freight Capacity
    (IAFC) package, the Government established a replacement scheme called Maintaining International Air Connectivity (MIAC) to support continued air services. The MIAC scheme began in May 2021 and was scheduled to end on 31 March 2022.

Key events that influenced tourism for year ended March 2021

Here are the significant events that influenced tourism in the year ended March 2021.

  • On 13 May 2020, New Zealand moved to alert level 2 at 11:59pm.
  • On 8 June, the Ministry of Health reported that there were no more active cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand. At 11:59pm, New Zealand moved to alert level 1.
  • On 11 August, four new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the community.
  • On 12 August, Auckland region moved to alert level 3. The rest of New Zealand moved to alert level 2.
  • On 30 August, Auckland moved to alert level 2 at 11:59pm, with extra restrictions on travel and gatherings. The rest of New Zealand remained at alert level 2.
  • On 21 September, all regions except Auckland moved to alert level 1 at 11:59pm.
  • On 23 September, Auckland moved to alert level 2, without extra restrictions on travel and gatherings, at 11:59pm.
  • On 7 October, Auckland moved to alert level 1 at 11:59pm. All of New Zealand was at alert level 1.
  • On, 14 February 2021, three new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the community. Auckland moved to alert level 3 at 11:59pm. The rest of New Zealand moved to alert level 2.
  • On 17 February, Auckland moved to alert level 2 at 11:59pm. The rest of New Zealand moved to alert level 1.
  • On 22 February, Auckland moved to alert level 1 at 11:59pm. All of New Zealand was at alert level 1.
  • On 28 February, Auckland moved to alert level 3. The rest of New Zealand moved to alert level 2.
  • In January, the first quarantine-free flight from the Cook Islands arrived in Auckland.
  • Air New Zealand transported more than 700 workers from Apia to Auckland under the Recognised Seasonal Employer programme.
  • The Government's International Air Freight Capacity package provided assistance to maintain critical cargo connections, including imports (particularly medical supplies), and high-value exports. It also provided opportunities for repatriations.
  • Air New Zealand assisted governments around the world in repatriating more than 7,100 stranded passengers due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
  • In July, Air New Zealand placed a hold on new bookings on international services into New Zealand following a request from the New Zealand Government.
  • In July, Air New Zealand resumed direct jet services between Auckland and Invercargill.
  • The Prada America's Cup World Series Auckland and the Prada Christmas Race was held between 17 and 20 December 2020.
  • The Prada Cup: Challenger Selection Series was held between 15 January and 21 February 2021.
  • The 36th America's Cup Match was staged between 10 and 17 March 2021.

Key events that influenced tourism for year ended March 2020

Here are the significant events that influenced tourism in the year ended March 2020.

  • The COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China.
  • The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern in January 2020 and a pandemic in March 2020.
  • New Zealand recorded its first COVID-19 case on 28 February 2020.
  • On 14 March, the Government announced anyone entering New Zealand must self-isolate for 14 days, except those arriving from the Pacific.
  • On 19 March, all indoor gatherings of more than 100 people were cancelled, and borders closed to all but New Zealand citizens and permanent residents.
  • On 21 March, the Government introduced a 4-tiered alert level system to help combat COVID-19 with New Zealand at alert level 2.
  • On 23 March, New Zealand moved to alert level 3.
  • On 25 March, at 12.21pm, a state of national emergency was declared. At 11:59pm, New Zealand moved to alert level 4, and the entire nation went into self-isolation.
  • A volcanic eruption on Whakaari/White Island in December 2019 resulted in the death of 22 people, including two who were missing and declared dead, and a further 25 people suffered serious injuries.
  • Cathay Pacific took over Air New Zealand's summer operations of the Hong Kong-Auckland return service covering the first quarter of 2020. This was in response to issues encountered with Rolls-Royce engines on its Boeing 787-9 aircraft first encountered in December 2017.
  • Air New Zealand commenced non-stop services between Auckland and Seoul.
  • Jetstar withdrew regional services at the end of November between Auckland and Napier, Nelson, New Plymouth, and Palmerston North, as well as between Nelson and Wellington.
  • In response to Jetstar's withdrawal of regional services, Air New Zealand announced additional services between Auckland and Napier, New Plymouth, Nelson, and Palmerston North, as well as between Nelson and Wellington.
  • Air New Zealand commenced a direct scheduled jet service between Auckland and Invercargill in late August.
  • Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific extended their joint venture alliance for a further five years.
  • Air Chatham's began an Auckland to Norfolk Island service in September.
  • Singapore Airlines increased the number of services on the Wellington-Singapore route via Melbourne while introducing the A350-900 aircraft.
  • Cathay Pacific commenced a third summer season between Christchurch and Hong Kong featuring additional flights and capacity.
  • Korean Air commenced 10 summer seasonal return services between Christchurch and Seoul Incheon from late December.

Tourism expenditure

The major focus of the TSA is to identify and measure tourism expenditure on goods and services produced within the New Zealand economy.

By determining tourism expenditure, tourism's direct contribution to GDP can be derived and compared with the contribution of other industries such as agriculture or manufacturing, see table 11 under Download document and data.

Table 11 shows that for the year ended March 2023:

  • total tourism expenditure increased 39.6 percent, following an increase of 1.8 percent in 2022, and a 36.1 percent decrease in 2021.
  • the largest changes in tourism expenditure were in:
    • air passenger transport, an increase of $1.9 billion (104.5 percent).
    • food and beverage serving services, an increase of $1.7 billion (67.2 percent)
    • retail sales - other, an increase of $1.5 billion (24.0 percent)
  • GST paid on purchases by tourists increased $923 million (35.5 percent).

The main products tourists purchased were retail sales and other tourism products and services, which contributed 36.0 percent and 20.6 percent, respectively. Tourists spent 20.2 percent of their budget on accommodation, and food and beverage serving services. They spent 20.0 percent on passenger transport, and 3.1 percent on education services .

Figure 9

Product typePercent
Education services3.1
Other tourism products and services20.6
Accommodation and food & beverage serving services20.2
Passenger transport20.0
Retail sales36.0

Table 12 (under Download document and data) presents tourism expenditure by type of product and by type of tourist for the years ended March 2020-2023. The tourism product ratio is the proportion of total supply (national production plus imports) of each product that tourists purchase.

For the year ended March 2023:

  • total household tourism expenditure increased 2.8 percent ($576 million), following a decrease of 2.3 percent the previous year.
  • the largest increase in household tourism expenditure was in cultural, recreation, travel, and tour services, up $479 million, followed by food and beverage services, up $196 million, and retail sales - alcohol, food, and beverages, up $133 million.
  • accommodation services, down $0.5 billion, was impacted by Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ), and the use of traditional accommodation providers for emergency housing, while air passenger transport was down $70 million.
  • between 2020 and 2023, total household tourism spending increased 17.5 percent. Over the same period, total household consumption expenditure increased 20.2 percent.
  • business and government tourism expenditure increased 26.5 percent ($1.2 billion), following an increase of 12.5 percent the previous year.
  • the increase in business and government tourism expenditure was largest in cultural, recreation, travel, and tour services, up $260 million from the previous year, other passenger transport up $259 million, and accommodation services, up $254 million.
  • total spending by international tourists in New Zealand increased 456.9 percent ($8.9 billion), following an increase of 30.8 percent in the March 2022 year.
  • the largest increases in international tourism expenditure were in air passenger transport, up $1.8 billion, retail sales - other, up $1.5 billion, and food and beverage serving services, up $1.4 billion.

The biggest share of domestic demand was retail sales, at 40.7 percent, while international tourism's demand of retail represented only 24.4 percent of international spending. International tourists spent the remainder of their budget primarily on accommodation, and food and beverage serving services (26.8 percent), passenger transport (26.3 percent), and other tourism product and services (18.0 percent) - .

Figure 10

Type of touristDomestic touristInternational tourist
Education services2.64.4
Other tourism products and services21.718
"Accommodation and food and beverage serving services"17.626.8
Passenger transport17.426.3
Retail sales40.724.4
Industry20182019202020212022
Accommodation24.125.325.625.129
Food and beverage services13.412.615.814.820.5
"Road16.714.715.918.418.3
rail119.27.3-4.3-6.3
and water transport"24.526.323.121.124.2
Air and space transport43.442.842.342.346.1
"Other transport18.219.619.120.918.8
transport support23.923.123.330.529.4
& travel & tour services"16.816.917.921.521.7
Rental and hiring services26.32526.227.126.5
Arts and recreation services21.320.62123.123.8
Retail trade
Education and training
All non-tourism-related industries
Total industry

Detailed product and industry tables, year ended March 2022

Tables 19-26 in this chapter (available under Download document and data) provide details of the tourism satellite account for the year ended March 2022, the latest year for which balanced supply and use tables are available.

See:

  • 19 Tourism expenditure, by type of product and type of tourist, year ended March 2022
  • 20 New Zealand System of National Accounts production accounts, by industry, year ended March 2022
  • 21 Sales by type of product and industry, year ended March 2022
  • 22 Derivation of tourism product ratios, year ended March 2022
  • 23 Derivation of tourism industry ratios, year ended March 2022
  • 24 Derivation of direct tourism value added, year ended March 2022
  • 25 Direct tourism employment, by industry, year ended March 2022
  • 26 Gross fixed capital formation and net capital stock, by industry, year ended March 2022

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Subject category: Tourism
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Tourism satellite account: Year ended March 2024 will be released in December 2024.

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