Queenstown has been ranked the No 1 destination New Zealanders recommend foreign tourists visit and the fourth-most popular holiday spot for New Zealanders in the latest Fly Buys/Colmar Brunton Mood of the New Zealand Traveller Survey.
The survey, released by the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA), showed 144,500 more people were planning to take an overseas trip in the next six months compared with the previous six months, and 84% of New Zealanders planning at least one overnight holiday within New Zealand, up from 81% six months ago.
Wellington topped the list of favourite destinations for New Zealanders to visit, followed by Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown and Nelson, Queenstown was the place New Zealanders recommended to travellers from overseas.
TIA chief executive Tim Cossar said Queenstown "clearly leads" in the place New Zealanders recommended most to foreign visitors, followed by Rotorua, the Coromandel, Wanaka and Fiordland.
"It's clear New Zealand's natural beauty, thrill-seeking activities and cultural experiences are the activities we recommend the most," he said.
Australia was the most popular travel destination for New Zealanders planning an overseas break, followed by the United States, Fiji and Rarotonga.
