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Tourism New Zealand has strengthened its engagement with travel trade partners in India and Southeast Asia through its annual Kiwi Link events, as it looks to drive visitor growth from key Asian markets.
Kiwi Link India brought together 49 New Zealand tourism organisations with 75 travel buyers from across India, while Kiwi Link Southeast Asia connected 46 New Zealand organisations with buyers from Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Tourism New Zealand chief executive René de Monchy says India remains a priority market, with visitor arrivals reaching 83,000 in the year to May 2026 – 125 per cent of 2019 levels.
“India’s outbound tourism industry has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by factors such as rising disposable incomes, improved connectivity, and a burgeoning middle class.”
René says travel trade relationships remain critical, with 96 per cent of Indian travellers considering a holiday to New Zealand preferring to book through a travel agent.
He says Southeast Asia also offers opportunities for year-round growth, with strong direct air connectivity supporting increased visitation from Singapore and emerging markets including Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
