New Zealand received 47.9% more visitors in the month of November 2014, bringing the 12-month total of Chinese arrivals to 257,584, up 11.5% y-o-y, according to Tourism New Zealand (TNZ).
“The growing number of Chinese tourists visiting New Zealand is giving Chinese companies the impetus to invest in New Zealand especially in the hotel industry. This will help improve facilities and services in New Zealand,” said David Craig, TNZ’s general manager Asia.
Last year, the Fuwah International Group won a bid for a luxury hotel development project in Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter for NZ$200 million. The year before, a Chinese investment group acquired Pounamu Apartments on 1.2 hectares of land on Frank Street Queenstown for NZ$3.6 million and a 1,923 sqm lot for NZ$1.1 million.
The outlook for tourism ties between China and New Zealand is even more promising after Air China and Air New Zealand signed a letter of intent for a strategic alliance in the end of 2014. The parties plan to open the Beijing-Auckland route in addition to Air New Zealand’s existing Shanghai-Auckland service, pending approval by respective governments.
Meanwhile, China Southern Airlines plans to up its Guangzhou-Auckland flights from 10 to 14 per week (twice daily) from November 26, 2014 to March 29, 2015. It will also launch a Guangzhou-Christchurch charter service during the Spring Festival season.
Mr Craig said that New Zealand tourism is at its peak season but prices for tourism products remain stable throughout the year. He said the off-season could be a good time for visitors who are keen on enjoying the winter sports and skiing options available on both the north and the south islands and the endless coastline of New Zealand offers limitless opportunities for whale and seal watching on clear winter days.(Translation by David)
