travelThe International Visitor Survey report (IVS) has revealed that international visitors are spending a yearly record high $11.2 billion when holidaying in New Zealand, showing just how significant tourism is for New Zealand’s economy, Scoop reports.

Stephen England-Hall, Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive, said: “New Zealand continues to punch above its weight attracting the visitor dollar. Although we’re a niche destination attracting just 0.3 percent of global arrivals, we are getting 0.7 percent of global visitor spend.”

He went on to say: “Tourism spend goes beyond the economic – it’s supporting our communities, it’s helping build schools and hospitals across the country, it’s supporting small and large business, it’s bringing global experts to New Zealand and growing our industries and specialist knowledge.”

Research has revealed that 93% of New Zealanders believe tourism is indeed helping their country, although a mere 12% acknowledge tourism as being New Zealand’s number one export earner, generating one in five of export dollars.

One of the many businesses that has been boosted by international tourism is Takaka’s Mussel Inn pub, which draws thousands of visitors to its eye-catching attraction.

Henry Dixon, being the Mussel Inn Manager, said: “We’re a local business but it’s the international visitors – and the Kiwi visitors, in a way – that allow our business to grow and allow us to employ the local people.

“International visitors are a really key part of our story, both for the connections and the financial side of it too.

“This is a business and a life that we want to continue into the future. And we want to keep sharing it with people from around New Zealand and around the world.”

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