Earnings rise
Tourism Holdings expects 21% lift in profit
Tourism Holdings has raised its earnings guidance and says annual profit will probably rise by about 21 per cent as New Zealand continues to register record visitor numbers.
The Auckland-based company, which operates campervan rentals and attractions including Waitomo Caves, expects to report net profit of about $29.5 million in the year ending June 30, up from $24.4m a year earlier, and ahead of earlier guidance for profit to exceed $27m.
The upgrade was due to “recent trading results in New Zealand the USA”, the company said.
“The details of the improvement and outlook for the next financial year will be discussed in more detail in late August, when the company looks forward to releasing its audited annual results,” said chairman Rob Campbell.
New Zealand has been experiencing record short-term visitor arrivals and tourism has been a key plank in the country’s economic growth over the past year when weak global dairy prices took the wind out of the rural sector.
Tourism Holdings delivered a 38 per cent increase in first-half profit with strong tourist demand in New Zealand and Australia, and has set a goal to achieve annual profit of $50m by 2020. The company’s shares closed up 12c yesterday at $3.95.