New Zealand's pillar tourism sector is continuing a robust post-pandemic recovery, with the Chinese market playing a crucial role in driving growth amid global challenges.
Tourism New Zealand said the country is "tantalizingly close" to reaching its target of 3.7 million international arrivals by the end of this month, after doubling its growth rate from last year.
The agency described China as "an incredibly important market" for New Zealand, saying arrivals from China continue to rise. In the year to February, the Chinese market had recovered to 71 percent of 2019 levels, reflecting growing interest among Chinese travelers in visiting New Zealand.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said the sector, New Zealand's second-largest export earner, contributes 7.7 percent of GDP and supports one in nine jobs nationwide.
The figures show why restoring international visitor numbers to pre-pandemic levels is critical to the government's economic growth goals, Upston said.
