It’s boom time for NZ tourism

They’ll come in droves, stay longer and spend like never before.

Fresh New Zealand tourism forecasts predict a boom for the industry with visitor spending skyrocketing 48 per cent to $NZ11.1 billion ($A10.29 billion) by 2021.

Visitor arrivals are also expected to increase four per cent in that time, boosting visitor numbers from 2.9 million in 2014 to 3.8m in 2021, according to tourism forecasts by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

Behind these figures are strong growth in Australians visiting and huge growth in the number of Chinese tourists picking New Zealand as a destination.

Michael Bird, the ministry’s general manager institutions and system performance, says Chinese visitors have changed their holidaying behaviour markedly in recent years.

They are staying longer, visiting more regions, doing a greater range of activities and spending more, he said.

This trend is the biggest single driver behind the spending forecast, which predicts China will surpass Australia as New Zealand’s biggest spending tourist market in the next seven years.

The forecast was released at the annual tourism industry conference TRENZ in Rotorua on Monday alongside other research predicting a surge in tourism-related jobs.

The new Tourism Industry Association study predicts the tourism workforce is set to grow almost 40 per cent by 2025, creating an extra 36,000 full time jobs.

Association chief executive Chris Roberts said the predictions of stellar tourism industry growth were “great news” for the country.

“But it also presents us with challenges, in particular, how we are going to service all our visitors and ensure they enjoy an outstanding visitor experience,” Mr Roberts said.

The announcements come as Air New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand extend their marketing partnership through the 2016 financial year.

The two organisations have agreed to jointly invest more than $NZ20 million to market New Zealand in South America and the United States in conjunction with Air New Zealand’s new direct flights from Buenos Aires and Houston.

Last week the airline and tourism body revealed they would replace their Hobbit-themed marketing campaigns with new-look advertising for 2015 and beyond.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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