New Zealand wooing Indian tourists

KOLKATA: Tourism New Zealand is focusing primarily on the family and honeymooner segments to lure more big-spending Indian tourists to its shores. The country, which saw some 21,000 Indian tourist arrivals in the year ended June 30, 2007, is hoping to boost these numbers by a further 10-15% in 2007-08.

“We expect this annual growth rate of 10-15% to continue till direct flights are introduced to New Zealand. The air services agreement between the two countries was signed last year, and with Air New Zealand acquiring new carriers by 2010, direct flights should start by then. That is when we should start registering an annual growth in Indian tourist arrivals of 30%,” said Kiran Nambiar, manager India, Tourism New Zealand.

Tourism New Zealand is concentrating more on the well-travelled lot by promoting attractions ranging from adventure sports and glaciers to helicopter rides and luxury lodges. The most popular package going for a two-week trip for a couple is Rs 3 lakh, which includes airfare, accommodation, breakfast and car hire. Right now, India accounts for less than 1% of the tourist arrivals to New Zealand, which stood at a total of 2.45 million in 2006-07. Australia, UK and the US are its three biggest markets. Tourism is New Zealand’s biggest industry, accounting for 7 billion NZ dollars.