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New Zealand’s tourism sector is showing strong signs of recovery, with new data revealing continued growth in international visitor arrivals and rising business confidence across the industry.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said in a statement today, October 13, the figures are encouraging as the country heads into the busy summer season.
“International tourism, as New Zealand’s second-highest export earner, is a key part of our economic recovery,” she said.
“It’s great to see international visitor arrivals in August were up 7.5 percent from the same time last year. We’re now sitting at 88 percent of pre-Covid visitor levels and making steady progress toward full recovery.”
According to Statistics New Zealand’s International Travel and Migration data, 230,300 visitors arrived in August 2025 — 52 percent from Australia, 9 percent from China, and 5 percent from the United States.
Upston says the growth is translating into real benefits for communities.
“More visitors mean more full tables in our restaurants, more bookings in our hotels, more people visiting our regions and attractions, and more jobs being created across the country.”
A Tourism Industry Association survey, also released today, found 86 percent of tourism businesses feel confident about the year ahead — an 11 percent increase on last year.
“We know how important a thriving tourism and hospitality sector is for regional economies,” Upston said.
“That’s why the Government has been making a series of investments this year to boost demand and position New Zealand as a go-to destination for travellers planning their next holiday.”
