Latest News from Tourism New Zealand

Growth in international arrivals are signalling early signs of recovery for the New Zealand tourism industry. Latest Statistics New Zealand figures show that total arrivals for September increased 9.3 per cent on the same month last year; an additional 14,700 international visitors.

International Visitor Arrivals September 2009:
• Australia - 94,962 up 15.4%
• UK - 10,542 down 0.4%
• USA - 10,038 up 9.9%
• China - 6,342 up 15.4 %
• Japan - 6,258 down 3.5%
• Germany - 3,255 up 4.8%
• South Korea - 3,045 down 33.5%
• Canada - 2,058 down 3.8%

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New Zealand has again been voted favourite long-haul country by readers of the Guardian, the Observer and guardian.co.uk beating Cambodia, Chile, Vietnam and Japan to take the top spot. 

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See a full list of awards won by New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand 

Read more about the United Kingdom in our online market guide

A note to the New Zealand tourism industry from Greg Muir, Chairman, Tourism New Zealand.

"As we head towards the end of the calendar year and the beginning of our peak season, it is time to farewell our long-standing Chief Executive George Hickton and to welcome our newly appointed CE, Kevin Bowler."

"George’s last day with the organisation will be Tuesday 1 December and we are pleased to confirm that Tim Hunter will take on the role of acting Chief Executive over the Christmas and New Year period before Kevin starts on Monday 18 January."

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Living like a millionaire for a week can be tough, just ask Shannyn Gourley, the winner of Tourism New Zealand’s ‘Thanks a Million Oz’ promotion.

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Read more about Australia in the online market guide

Read the latest Tourism News guest editorial by Craig Harris, Cruise New Zealand Chairperson and McKay Shipping Managing Director.

Read the full editorial

Learn more about the cruise sector

American reality television star Jason Mesnick has returned to New Zealand, 11 months after filming The Bachelor which went on to score huge ratings for the show and New Zealand in the US. 

Read the full story from the Southland Times on Stuff

Read more about Tourism New Zealand's work in the US

Registrations are now open for Kiwi Link Japan to be held in Tokyo, 9-11 March 2010.

Kiwi Link provides an opportunity for New Zealand tourism operators to build relationships with key Japanese travel companies, while learning more about the Japanese market. 

Registrations close 5pm, Monday 9 November 2009.

Find out more and register on our website

The Ministry of Tourism is offering five $15,000 scholarships to Masters students doing a research-based thesis on an area of current importance to the tourism industry.

Applications close 5pm, Friday 20 November 2009.

Find out more about Tourism Research Scholarships from the Ministry of Tourism