22 Nov 2014

International visitors spending more

7:12 am on 22 November 2014

International visitors are spending more money in New Zealand, with spending from Chinese visitors hitting a record $979 million.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment said the amount spent by Chinese visitors increased by 33 percent in the year to September .

There were also significant increases in the money spent by visitors from the United States - up 33 percent to $748 million and Britain - up 23 per cent to $723 million.

However spending by Australians dropped by 11 per cent to just over $2 billion.

Overall, international visitors spent $7.2 billion dollars - an increase of ten percent for the year ending September.

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