NZers opting for ‘relax and refresh’ holidays

WELLINGTON: A tough 2020 means New Zealanders holidaying in their own country are increasingly doing so to ‘‘relax and refresh’’ — putting the outdoors before adrenaline or socialising.

The findings by Tourism New Zealand correlate with bumper summer bookings on the Department of Conservation’s (Doc) Great Walks, and offer a glimmer of hope to tourism operators grappling with selling New Zealand to domestic tourists.

Research released by Tourism New Zealand yesterday suggests nearly threequarters of New Zealanders are planning a back yard holiday in the next 12 months, and more are keen on travel in their own country.

Among people surveyed in September, 62% described domestic holiday options as ‘‘excellent or good’’, which is a 14% increase from May.

People cited a desire to relax and refresh, enjoy spectacular scenery, or visit new places, which Tourism New

Zealand chief executive Stephen EnglandHall said was not a surprise.

‘‘What that suggests is that people have had a pretty hectic start to the year.’’

Doc spokesman Alastair Johnstone said this summer, 55% more New Zealanders were booked to do Great Walks than last year, which more than made up for the loss in international visitors.

‘‘We suspect it’s part of being locked down or being constrained to their homes or workplaces,’’ he said. — RNZ