West Coast leads NZ in visitor spending growth

Total visitor expenditure on the West Coast increased 11.9 per cent ($55 million) in the year to June 2024, according to new data released from Infometrics.

This was the highest growth rate in the country, outpacing the national average of 1.8 per cent.

During the same period, guest nights at commercial accommodations in the region grew by 110,800, a nine per cent increase – exceeding the national growth rate of 5.3 per cent. This increase was largely driven by a 38 per cent rise in international guest nights, which more than offset a 12 per cent decline in domestic guest nights.

“While we’ve seen strong growth, it’s important to note that international guest nights eased by 3.6 per cent in the June quarter, suggesting that the initial recovery-led surge has mostly tapered off,” Development West Coast chief executive Heath Milne cautioned.

To promote, connect, and celebrate West Coast tourism, DWC will be hosting the annual West Coast Tourism Summit on September 6.

This year’s hui, titled “On the Road to 2030,” will focus on creating a regenerative tourism economy to protect the rohe, enhance the whenua, and benefit the community now and in the future.