Come for the hot pools, stay for the exchange rate: US tourists hit record high

Summarised by Centrist

Stressed-out Americans are discovering New Zealand's recipe for relaxation: hot pools, forest walks, Māori culture and a kiwi dollar that makes their holiday money go further. 

A record 390,116 American visitors arrived in the year to September, as Tourism New Zealand pitches the country as the ultimate escape from the daily grind.

According to Bloomberg, Americans now account for 10% of international visitors, making the US New Zealand's second-largest tourism market after Australia.

Helping matters is the kiwi dollar, which has fallen 6.6% against the US dollar over the past six months, making everything from hotel rooms to restaurant meals more affordable for American travellers.

Tourism New Zealand has been promoting the country as the "ultimate wellness studio", offering geothermal waters, scenic trails and cultural experiences to Americans desperate to escape their busy lives.

More direct flights are also making the journey easier.

But the Americans may have competition.

Chinese visitor numbers have surged to 340,125 annually, up more than 94,000 in a year. Chinese arrivals have already exceeded American arrivals for six consecutive months and could soon reclaim second place.

Overall, international arrivals rose 9% to 3.74 million in the year to September.

Tourism now accounts for around 17% of New Zealand's exports and supports approximately 12% of jobs, including indirect employment.

Read more at Bloomberg

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