Tourism New Zealand Welcomes Increased Capacity from North America

Tourism New Zealand has welcomed the recent announcement by Air New Zealand of the increased capacity between Auckland and North America.

Chief Executive Kevin Bowler says the ability to increase visitor arrivals is directly linked to supply and the United States is a priority market for Tourism New Zealand.

"The increase of 5,000 seats a month from April 2013 will provide a significant boost and should support the ongoing North American market recovery," says Kevin.

"In the coming year, we anticipate that interest in a trip here will be at its highest following the release of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey which we know will lift New Zealand's profile significantly in the North American market.

"The additional seats and increased frequency of flights from Air New Zealand will offer travellers more options and greater flexibility providing a huge boost to New Zealand's tourism industry."

Visitor arrivals from the United States were down 1.4 per cent for the year ending August 2012, impacted by the global economic downturn and reduced direct services to New Zealand. Arrivals from Canada were up 1.7 per cent for the same period.