Despite continued growth from parts of Asia, international
arrivals into New Zealand fell by 3.7% during July 2011 to
176,084 when compared with the 182,904 arrivals in the same
month in 2010 last year, Statistics New Zealand reports.
July arrivals from China were up 20.6%, Singapore up 17.3%
and Malaysia up 74% continued a strong run of growth.
However, this was not enough to offset falls from the United
Kingdom, down 11.9%, United States, down 12.7%, Japan, 32.6%,
Korea, down 17.2% and Germany, down 7.2%.
New Zealand welcomed 91,664 Australian visitors during July,
a decrease of 3.3% compared with the same month last year.
Tourism New Zealand chief executive Kevin Bowler said in a
statement on Friday further analysis of Australian arrivals
during July revealed a more positive picture as the month
progressed.
"A weekly breakdown of Australian arrivals through July shows
a much improved second half of the month, where numbers were
only marginally down on last year," Mr Bowler said.
"The beginning of the month saw larger declines compared to
last year and it's quite possible there was a hangover from
the transtasman flight disruptions experienced in June due to
the Chilean ash cloud."
Mr Bowler said the brightest news was again coming out of
Asia. For the fourth month in a row, Singapore and Malaysia
delivered double-digit growth on the back of the new aviation
links which started in March and April this year.
"The growth story is similar for China and initiatives such
as the recent improvements Immigration New Zealand has made
to the Chinese travel visa application process, should help
boost the number of Chinese visitors even further in future."
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