Barmy Army delivers for New Zealand
Middle-earth and cricket fans delivered a strong month for New Zealand tourism in March.
"For the first three months of 2013, we have seen several of our target markets in growth when compared against last year, topped off by March’s 12.8% growth overall," said Tourism New Zealand chief Kevin Bowler.
The healthy arrival numbers followed the announcement of new Government funding for NZ tourism.
Tourism New Zealand will receive an additional NZ$29.5 million in the 2014-15 year commencing July 1, taking its total budget to NZ$113 million.
Bowler added: "With strong arrivals seen from Australia, North America, the UK and Germany, Tourism New Zealand is confident its work to target these markets specifically is driving up preference for a New Zealand holiday, and motivating people to convert their interest into actual travel.
"In March, we saw 15.8% growth out of the UK, helped by having the Barmy Army in town to watch the English cricket team.
"This reinforces the benefits that big sporting events offer New Zealand, and how important it is for us to maximise the value we can gain from hosting the Cricket World Cup and the FIFA U-21 Football World Cup in 2015.
"We also can’t ignore the growth we are seeing out of North America (24.0% from the US and 10.5% from Canada for March) and the likely impact our 100% Middle-earth, 100% Pure New Zealand campaign to leverage off The Hobbit Trilogy, is having on this."
by Ian Jarrett
Ian Jarrett
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