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International visitor arrivals and spending continue to strengthen New Zealand’s tourism sector, according to the latest International Visitor Survey results.
Tourism and hospitality minister Louise Upston says the data highlights the sector’s ongoing contribution to the economy.
“Tourism is New Zealand’s second-highest export earner, and the latest data shows the sector is delivering real benefits for New Zealand,” Louise says.
Between July and September, international visitors spent $2.1 billion, up 9.3 per cent on the same period in 2024. For the year ending September 2025, total spend reached $12.3 billion, a 5.3 per cent increase.
Visitor arrivals also grew, reaching 3.43 million in the year ending September 2025, up 6.1 per cent on the previous year. Growth in spending reflects not only higher arrival numbers but also an increase in higher-spending travellers, particularly from the United States.
“These figures are a clear signal that tourism is powering ahead, playing a critical role in strengthening our economy and creating opportunities for communities across the country.”
International visitor numbers are now back to 88 per cent of 2019 pre-pandemic levels, showing strong progress toward recovery. Louise says the trend is resulting in “more accommodation bookings, more people exploring our regions, and more jobs”.
“The Government is committed to supporting the sector through the Tourism Growth Roadmap, which sets out our plan to double tourism export value by 2034.
“We want to ensure tourism continues to deliver value for New Zealand and unforgettable experiences for visitors, and these results show we’re on the right track.”
Full International Visitor Survey results are available at: teic.mbie.govt.nz/teiccategories/datareleases/ivs-annual
