Backpacker sector worried
The tourism industry is hoping the killing of British backpacker Grace Millane does not hurt an already declining market.
Almost 187,000 18 to 24-yearolds visited New Zealand in the 12 months to the end of October, but the number of British backpackers dropped 17 per cent to about 13,500.
Tourism New Zealand chief executive Stephen England-Hall said the swiftness with which police arrested a man for Millane’s murder would help allay travellers’ fears.
Although he believed recent events were unlikely to have an impact on arrivals, they could damage our reputation as a safe destination.
‘‘In the short term they have the potential to erode that perception . . . but I don’t think it will necessarily change the general view of New Zealand overnight.
‘‘I think [social media comment on Millane’s death] has gathered so much momentum because it is very uncommon for something like this to happen here.
‘‘New Zealanders are up in arms about it, more so than the visitor market, because it’s horrific and because no parents should ever have to bury their child, certainly not in circumstances like this; it’s a real tragedy.’’
Simon Cartwright, chairman of the Backpacker, Youth and Adventure Travel Association, said New Zealand’s reputation as a safe place could make young travellers complacent.
‘‘There’s a risk that people drop their guard a wee bit.
‘‘You have to be mindful that, even if it seems culturally the same, every country is a little different, so you’re more exposed and vulnerable.’’
Cartwright said the Asian market was very security conscious and were more inclined to travel in pairs or groups, and less likely to go out late at night.
The overall youth market fell 3 per cent last year with a marked drop in ‘‘transient’’ UK, US and Germany backpackers who tacked a visit to New Zealand onto the end of a trip to Australia.
Tourism New Zealand is now focussing on getting Brits and Germans to come here direct, rather than via Australia, but Cartwright said political upheaval in those countries was a challenge because it had an impact on people’s travel plans.
‘‘The British are reacting to Brexit.
‘‘We know that where there is political uncertainty, there’s a percentage of the population that’s more likely to stay home than travel.’’
But Cartwright said the backpacker market had been quite resilient in the past ‘‘and I suspect we will continue to be so’’.