It was a record-breaking autumn for tourism, with new figures from Tourism New Zealand showing an 18 percent increase in spending over the autumn months.
Photo: 123rf
More than $10 billion was spent in the year to June, with the most growth coming from Chinese, Japanese and Korean tourists.
The numbers were a boon for the industry, which had deliberately promoted winter holidays to overseas markets.
Tourism NZ chief executive Kevin Bowler said Hollywood and security fears were two big reasons for the boost.
"Nearly one in five holidaymakers said movies were one of the reasons they chose New Zealand. And I think more recently New Zealand and Australia are seen as really safe locations. So for people wanting to take a long haul trip, they're looking towards our region and going 'well, I'll think I'll make Australia or New Zealand or both the destination for us this year'."
