Australians Drive Canterbury’s Record Visitor Numbers

11/11/09

Canterbury’s appeal as a South Island ski and spring holiday hub has boosted the number of visitors staying in the region during September, for the fifth month in a row.

Statistics New Zealand figures released today show Canterbury recorded one of the country’s largest increases in guest nights, up 3 per cent (11,000) on the previous September, with a big jump in international guest nights, up 6 per cent (10,000).

Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism (CCT) chief executive Christine Prince said the increase was driven by Australian visitors eager to experience the heart of the South Island.

“We are delighted with this excellent result. Visitor arrivals into New Zealand were up 9.3% in September and this has been reflected in Christchurch and Canterbury’s strong performance.

“Our bumper ski season continued throughout September and this was coupled with great value air travel, accommodation and activity options for Australian and domestic visitors, and a buoyant school holidays,” she said.

Christchurch’s i-SITE Visitor Centre reflected the upward trend, with bookings significantly higher in September. Rental vehicle bookings were up 58%, attraction bookings up 24% and ski bookings increased by 19% compared with September 2008. Train bookings increased by 14%, while sightseeing and tour bookings rose by 5%.

Australians were number one again for overall spend in Christchurch’s i-SITE Visitor Centre, with an 11% increase in bookings.

“CCT has been using seasonal marketing campaigns over the past year to promote Christchurch and Canterbury as a short-break destination to Australians and to domestic travellers, so it’s fabulous to see these strong results coming through over several months.

“It’s now time to boost our promotional efforts in Australia in order to capitalise on our gains in this market, while continuing our marketing push in the proven domestic market,” Christine Prince said.

“The bumper ski season has certainly attracted a lot of Australian holiday-makers to our shores, but we’re also becoming the destination of choice for many New Zealanders who are realising they don’t have to travel far to have a wonderful holiday in the heart of the South.

“The i-SITE has been offering a number of ‘best deals’ giving visitors great value on different experiences which have proved very popular,” she says.

Popular activities included the International Antarctic Centre up 38% and the Tranzalpine Day Excursion, up 14%.

Christine Prince says visitors are not only making the most of Canterbury’s big backyard, they’re also spending time in Christchurch enjoying the city’s cultural attractions and entertainment.

“We’re confident visitor numbers will continue throughout the summer and that next year’s results will be even stronger,” Ms Prince says.