A NZ Ministry of Tourism survey shows that more New Zealanders are choosing to holiday at home rather than overseas, with the survey of 15,000 residents showing that in 2006, New Zealanders spent $7.5 billion on domestic travel – 9.3% more than in 2005.
Within that figure, locals’ spending on overnight trips rose 15.5% to $4.8 billion.
At the same time overseas travel by New Zealanders declined by 0.4%.
Releasing the survey results, Tourism Minister Damien O’Connor said they were positive for local businesses and he partly credited campaigns by regional tourism organisations and the Automobile Association for the rise, adding, “New Zealand is a special place and I’m delighted increasing numbers of us are taking the opportunity to see more of it”.
Report by The Mole
