LONDON, 17 August 2018: Travel and tourism generated 18% of New Zealand’s GDP in 2017, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.
WTTC’s reseach noted that in June 2017, the contribution of travel and tourism accounted for 17.9% (NZD47.5 billion) of New Zealand’s GDP.
This figure is set to rise by 2.9% per annum and forecast to account for 20% of New Zealand GDP over the next decade.
Other highlights of the report showed travel and tourism supported 212,000 jobs in 2017 (8.8% of employment).
By 2028, over 275,000 of jobs in New Zealand (10.9% of employment) are forecast to be dependent on travel and tourism.
The travel sector grew by 3.2% in 2017, faster than the economy as a whole, which grew at 2.9% in the total wider economy. New Zealand is the 32nd largest travel economy in the world.
WTTC president and CEO Gloria Guevara said: “Travel and tourism creates jobs, drives economic growth and helps build better societies. New Zealand is a prime example of this, as the country and its natural beauty is expected to attract over 2.7 million international tourist arrivals in 2018 alone. This represents a 3.9% economic increase from 2017 where visitor exports were responsible for generating NZD14.5 billion (USD10 billion).
Tourism has risen up the agenda in New Zealand over recent years and I commend the government on its support for the sector. Going forward it will be vital for public and private sectors to continue to work together, with the close involvement of communities, to ensure that tourism growth is sustainable, inclusive and benefits everyone.”
Every year WTTC produces the definitive research into the economic impact of travel and tourism across 185 countries and 25 regions.
