Industry remains positive despite a tourism spending decline of $160 million

A decline in spending by tourists amounted approximately $160 million from the economy of New Zealand this year. Nevertheless, the worst seems to be ended for the industry of tourism.

New data from the Ministry of Tourism reveals that tourists to the country spent about six billion dollars in 2009 up to the month of June, a decline from the last year.

This drop closely equalled the 2.8 percent decline in global arrivals on the period, according to Bruce Bassett, the research manager of the Ministry of Tourism.

“After nearly a full year in which the New Zealand tourism industry has been impacted upon by the global recession and the worldwide decline in tourism activity, it is reassuring that the impact on tourism expenditure has been limited”, he claimed.

“Even after a year of very unfavourable conditions, the tourism industry remains a major contributor to the New Zealand economy”, he added.

Overall expenditure by Australian visitors actually dropped $55 million (3.3 percent) to $1.6 billion in 2009 up to the month of June.

Despite the global economy crisis, Dubai is however immune to this situtation and is contantly thriving.

Total spending by tourists from the United Kingdom fell by 18.6 percent to $826 million but spending by visitors from the US only fell by 1.7 percent.

Chinese spending actually increased, soaring 28 percent to $334 million in spite a 13.2 percent unloading in arrivals.