Originality published by Stuff
By Sabrina Seeler, Nord University and Michael Lueck, Auckland University of Technology
OPINION: With no international flights arriving for the foreseeable future, there is little doubt that, immediately post-Covid-19, the New Zealand tourism industry will rely entirely on domestic travel.
Without underplaying the impact the pandemic will have on discretionary spending, however, there may be a silver lining to the crisis.
New Zealand is in the fortunate position of having an already strong domestic tourism sector. Domestic tourists spent NZ$23.7 billion annually (or NZ$65 million a day) pre-Covid-19, compared to a total spend of NZ$12.7 billion (or NZ$47 million a day) by international visitors. Research pre-Covid-19 showed 65% of New Zealanders wanted to explore more of their country, a figure expected to increase.
True, New Zealanders generally don’t have the deep pockets international tourists have. Their higher overall spend is a reflection of their numbers, not their bank balances. But with the big ticket tourist attractions now missing the bigger spenders, the market will rule.