An NZPA report says that New Zealand’s Tourism Ministry is forecasting a big increase in tourist numbers and spending over the next seven years.
Tourism Minister Damien O’Connor yesterday said the ministry’s 2007-2013 forecasting report predicted a 4 per cent yearly increase in visitor numbers.
Spending was set to grow at a rate of 7.4 per cent a year, pushing total annual spending up from the current $6.4 billion to $10.5 billion.
He said the key drivers of the positive forecast were the likely weakening of the Kiwi dollar, good economic outlooks in New Zealand’s main overseas markets and an increased emphasis on quality in the local tourism industry.
Report by The Mole
