In good news for tourism operators, new research has come out from Chuffed Gifts showing Kiwis are more interested in memories made, not items bought, this Christmas.
The survey, which asked more than 500 Kiwis about their Christmas preferences and shopping habits, revealed that 89 per cent of people would prefer the gift of an experience over a physical gift/stuff.
Seventy three per cent of experience lovers said it was because they valued making memories over things. Other reasons for choosing an experience gift over stuff were to spend more time with family and friends via an experience, not needing or wanting more ‘stuff’, wanting to take time out for themselves, or wanting a more sustainable/eco-conscious choice.
James Fitzgerald from Chuffed Gifts says it’s great to see so many Kiwis embracing experiences over things.
“New Zealand is an absolute haven for phenomenal experiences. From adrenaline-filled canyoning in Coromandel or skydiving at Mount Cook to a cruise on the TSS Earnslaw in Lake Whakatipu or a soak at Secret Spot Hot Tubs Rotorua.”
According to the data, many Kiwis struggle with what to buy.
Eleven per cent said gift giving was always a challenge, 18 per cent said it was usually challenging, and 37 per cent said gift shopping was challenging about half the time.
However, lucky for our experience-loving friends, 64 per cent of respondents said they were likely or extremely likely to buy an experience gift for someone else this Christmas, and 79 per cent said they were likely or extremely likely to over the next 12 months.
“This signals that giving great gifts is relevant year-round. Those who don’t get the experience gift they are hoping for under the tree this year might just need to wait until Valentine’s Day, an anniversary, work promotion or their next birthday,” says James.
