NZ experience safe but pricey: survey
New Zealand’s scenery and safety rated highly in a survey of overseas visitors, but there were gripes about high prices.
British and American tourists loved us most, while visitors from Japan and Korea gave us the lowest overall ratings.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) survey of 27,000 overseas visitors over a three-year period showed most were highly satisfied.
But some felt food and beverage, accommodation, activities, and commercial transport were too expensive.
MBIE tourism spokesman Paul Stocks said that given the unprecedented growth in tourism, and public debate about tourism’s impact on environmental standards, the results were a pleasant surprise.
‘‘When you get 96 per cent of people saying their trip met or exceeded their expectations, that’s huge,’’ he said. ‘‘The average rating for an experience was nine out of 10.’’
Feedback from the tourism industry showed real concern that pressure on infrastructure and the environment could have a negative impact on visitor ratings, but that had not been the case.
With almost 5 million visitors expected by 2025, Stocks said the survey results would help track any changes and highlight areas for improvement.
Visitors were asked for reasons when they gave ratings of seven or less out of 10. When it came to food and beverage outlets almost a quarter said they were too expensive.
Others referred to poor quality food, limited choices, and the failure to cater for vegan, vegetarian, gluten free or halal dietary requirements.
A lack of free internet, poor cleanliness and old facilities were the main criticisms levelled at accommodation, and there were calls for more free campsites for non-self-contained vehicles.
Hosted accommodation where people stayed with friends and family, at bed and breakfasts, or home stays rated tops.
Backpacker hostels had the lowest average score for any type of accommodation with a rating of 7.9 out of 10.
Stocks said higher prices were to be expected as demand for accommodation outpaced supply, but it was important visitors got value for money and did not feel ripped off.
‘‘We don’t want to get a reputation as being too expensive to come to.’’
Thirty per cent of visitors had come to New Zealand on the recommendation of friends, family or colleagues, or by reading about the country online.
The MBIE report said several international studies had linked overcrowding, and related litter and noise problems, to a dip in satisfaction levels.
But the relationship was not clear and it was possible younger people were more resilient to overcrowding than older visitors.