The latest international visitor data shows a strong return for overseas arrivals in February, tracking at 87 per cent of pre-pandemic levels (February 2019).

February was marked by a stronger level of holidaymakers, including a higher number of Chinese visitors - nearly 37,900 people compared to just 4214 in 2023.

This was the strongest month for the China market since January 2020 and reflects the return of strong Chinese New Year travel.

The US market was notable for exceeding its pre-COVID level in February – the first of New Zealand’s large markets to have achieved this - and is very close to doing this on a year-ended basis.

For the year to February, international arrivals were at 82% of pre-pandemic levels.

China is now our third largest market for all overseas visitors, with 200,623 visitors, after Australia (271,368 arrivals) and the United States (363,006).

“It’s exciting to see strength returning to the tourism industry and it bears out many reports from tourism businesses that this summer has been very buoyant. Their success will make an essential contribution to the economy and New Zealanders,” says Rebecca Ingram, the Chief Executive of Tourism Industry Aotearoa.

However, Ingram says the summer is crucial for tourism businesses heading into the winter when domestic holidaymakers often head offshore.

“I think it could be a little soft over the next few months, we’re not taking for granted the successful season,” she says.

TRENZ, the tourism industry’s biggest trade event on May 8-10, is a critical step in ensuring New Zealand is competitive and well represented on a global tourism stage.

The event will bring more than 300 buyers from around the world to Wellington to meet with 313 New Zealand tourism businesses, and “the conversations they have, and the business conducted, lays the groundwork for the next few years,” Ms Ingram says.