Recovery

The government is providing a further $25m in grants to help more businesses in cyclone-affected regions with the clean-up and to get them back up and running. 

The government is rolling out legislation to help regions around the country to recover from Cyclone Gabrielle as efficiently as possible.

Wairarapa is now eligible for the $25m government-allocated support package for businesses affected by Cyclone Gabrielle.

Just under $500,000 will be paid out to Hawke’s Bay communities, individuals, families, community organisations and marae affected by Cyclone Gabrielle.

Domestic travel spend sentiment has soured and the continuing mechanical issues plaguing Cook Strait ferries do not help, says former BNZ chief economist Tony Alexander.

Waikato businesses are now able to access the $1.42m cyclone and flood recovery support funding administered by Thames Coromandel District Council and allocated by the government.

Ruapehu District Council has committed $10,000 toward the Mayoral Relief Fund to aid Cyclone Gabrielle recovery efforts and also help local tourism.

Travel service exports are continuing on a strong growth trajectory due to a rise in international passenger numbers.

The return of Chinese tourists and students will give New Zealand’s economy a welcome boost this year as domestic demand wanes, says Westpac.

A stronger than expected recovery at Christchurch Airport helped drive net profit after tax to $16.1m for the six months to December 2022, up 39.1% on the same period a year earlier.

KPMG was engaged to scope interest in the youth and adventure-focused coach business.

Tourism spokesperson Todd McClay says the Nats will ease immigration rules and scrap median wage requirements to help operators.

Only international travel and grocery spend sentiment remain positive with domestic tourism expenditure plans still lagging, according to Tony Alexander’s latest spending survey.

The race is on to attract backpackers and boost occupancy from late summer through to autumn.

Emirates’ restart of its A380 service to Christchurch will add more than 3,400 seats every week to the trans-Tasman route.

International visitor numbers at Queenstown Airport in December tracked 10% above pre-Covid levels.

Business travel platform Serko has upgraded its revenue guidance for the year to March 2023, following a stronger than expected revenue performance across its major markets.

International tourism recovered 63% of pre-pandemic levels last year, with Europe and Middle East in the lead but Asia Pacific lagging.

South Island operators bask in the glow of good weather and a strong international rebound over the summer peak.

But some northern tourism businesses have seen good numbers despite the soggy start to 2023.

After nearly three years of discounting to attract the domestic market, many operators have raised their prices this summer to cope with increasing costs.

The return of international travel has given the economy an unexpected lift, surprising analysts with the strength of activity.

There has been a strong start to the summer tourist season but capacity constraints are dragging the industry, according to ANZ.

Accommodation in New Zealand’s New Year’s hotspots is close to full capacity, with demand for Bachcare holiday homes over the summer up by 66% compared to last summer.

The Tourism Export Council of New Zealand is more positive about the pace of New Zealand’s visitor recovery despite ongoing uncertainty around the return of the China market.

Global export revenues from tourism could reach US$1.3tr in 2022, although Asia Pacific’s recovery lags.

With innovative thinking, tourism can help get the world’s economies back on track – and help to “recover together, recover stronger”.

Ski Time will keep its doors open over the Christmas and New Year period for the first time in 35 years.

Queenstown Airport recorded 186,403 passenger movements in October 2022, up from 183,048 reported for the same month in pre-Covid 2019.

Total passenger movements at Auckland Aiport increased to 1.29 million in October 2022, up from 1.18 million recorded for the preceding September.

Rising visitor arrivals, strong expenditure, and more guest nights are bolstering stronger-than-expected international tourism recovery in New Zealand and contributing to elevated economic activity.

But the bank warns a new Covid wave, the cost of living crisis, and China uncertainty could drag growth.

Card spending is up and bookings are flowing through into New Zealand as international visitors and cruise passengers return to New Zealand, says the finance minister.

Operators say good weather and the return of cruise contribute to the best customer numbers since Covid began.

The operator now expects a full recovery in passenger numbers in calendar 2024.

The government is ending the requirement for visitors travelling by air to fill out the online New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) from this Thursday 20 October.

The airport has surpassed pre-pandemic levels of activity with September 2022 the breakthrough month.

September 2022 passenger movements at Auckland Airport reached 71% of the 2019 pre-Covid equivalent, buoyed by a rise in international and short-haul recovery.

With demand from the US strong, major carriers are relaunching services to NZ.

International tourism arrivals have reached more than half of pre-pandemic levels but Asia Pacific is lagging.

It is the end of an era for Rotorua’s mayor, but she leaves as the city grapples with social issues impacting the destination’s reputation.

The Waiheke Island operator is back at its South Island site, vying to become the only zipline operator in the country to expand nationally.

Operators can now make their own health and safety decisions for staff and customers.

Forward bookings are looking strong for the recovery of tourism but labour shortages continue to plague operators, says the bank.

The number of seats offered on airlines servicing New Zealand is forecast to be back to 79% of pre-Covid levels by the end of 2022.

The first of Air New Zealand’s previously desert-stranded 777-300 aircraft has touched down in Auckland as it prepares to meet increased demand for travel.

Ngāi Tahu Tourism’s new GM on innovation, community, and bringing more storytelling to experiences.

“Now that our borders are open, tourists are flocking in, regardless of the state of the global economy,” says the bank.

The tourism recovery will take “multiple years” to return to stability despite early indications of strong demand, says René de Monchy.

The future is bright for tourism and hospitality despite a challenging year as the tension between economic forces and pent-up demand for travel prompt consumer caution – and there are several things businesses can do to thrive, says Google’s head of travel.