Domestic tourism spending, buoyed by business-trip spending, has increased by nearly $1.5 billion in the year ended June 2012, the Government's latest domestic travel survey shows.
Produced by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, the latest survey shows $10.4 billion was spent on domestic travel in the 12 months to June 2012, up 16% on the previous 12-month period.
Tourism research and evaluation manager Peter Ellis said in a statement this week the increase in domestic travel spending was particularly strong for New Zealanders visiting friends and relatives and for business travel.
"The latest 12 months shows a continuing surge in spending on business trips, which rose by 21% to $3.5 billion. That is a $600 million increase.
"For the last three quarters, spending on business trips has exceeded that of holidays - something we've never seen before."
The increase in domestic travel spending also reflected higher food and transport costs, Mr Ellis said.
"Spending by domestic travellers on food and alcohol rose by 18% to $2.8 billion in the year ending June 2012, while transport costs rose 15%, to $3.6 billion, most likely a result of higher petrol prices."
