3.8m tourists get mixed reception

International tourist numbers have risen 1.2 million in the past five years, but enthusiasm about the economic benefits they bring is tempered by concern about the negative impact of rapid growth.

The latest Statistics New Zealand figures show 3.8 million tourists visited in the year to March, yet another record.

A tourism industry mood of the nation survey of 555 people released yesterday shows most Kiwis believe foreign tourists are good for New Zealand, but one in five still think we attract too many of them.

The percentage of those who believe international visitors put too much pressure on the country has dropped 1 per cent; however, at 39 per cent, is still more than double what it was in late 2015.

Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) chief executive Chris Roberts said the improvement, albeit small, was a good sign.

‘‘It is heartening that this trend has levelled off in the latest survey and overall sentiment has slightly improved.’’

According to the survey, pressure on infrastructure was the top concern, as well as accommodation shortages, environmental damage, freedom camping, traffic congestion and road safety.

Concerns were higher in Queenstown and Auckland, with negative feeling strongest in Otago where 55 per cent of residents thought tourism was putting too much pressure on the country.

Economic benefits topped the list of pros for international tourism, while cons focused on traffic congestion and the increased risk and incidence of road accidents.

International tourism is New Zealand’s biggest export earner, contributing $14.5 billion a year to the economy, and directly or indirectly employing one in seven New Zealanders.

In the year to March, Australia remained our largest visitor market (39 per cent), followed by China (11 per cent), the United States (9 per cent), and the United Kingdom (7 per cent).

Auckland Airport showed the biggest increase in arrivals, up almost 190,000, while Christchurch Airport arrivals rose 57,700 to 554,700. Wellington Airport was the only main centre to show a drop, with arrivals down 3800.

The record arrivals are reflected in the rise in spending by tourists, with half the country’s 16 regions enjoying double-digit increases for the year.

Spending figures for March showed big rises in Gisborne (40 per cent), Canterbury, Marlborough, Otago and Taranaki (21 per cent to 23 per cent).

PHOTO: STUFF Overcrowding, such as that seen on the Tongariro Crossing, is a prime concern of Kiwis worried about the impact of international visitor numbers.