Kiwis agree - tourism and its benefit to communities continue to be good for New Zealand

Mood of the Nation research released today reveals 93 percent of New Zealanders agree that international tourism is good for New Zealand.

The Mood of the Nation research is undertaken by Kantar TNS on behalf of Tourism New Zealand and Tourism Industry Aotearoa in November and March each year, to measure New Zealanders' perceptions of international tourism.

The survey results show New Zealanders' views are stable across key areas like perceptions of tourism pressure as New Zealand enters a cycle of slowed international holiday visitor arrival growth.

"Tourism is New Zealand's number one export earner, it's vital to communities across the country providing one in every seven jobs, so it's fantastic that Kiwis see the benefits it delivers," says Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Stephen England-Hall.

"This research is incredibly important to help us understand how Kiwis are feeling about tourism so the government and industry can take action to ensure that the sector gives back more than it takes to our country and people."

The research also shows that Kiwis remain proud that their country is an attractive visitor destination but have concerns about the impact it can have in particular areas. Pressure on infrastructure remains the top concern for New Zealanders (39%) followed by impacts on the environment (22%) with concern about traffic congestion and overcrowding of national parks and great walks both at 13%.

A range of initiatives and investment are in place to address these pressures. The International Visitor Levy (IVL) is expected to raise over $450 million over 5 years, funding projects to ensure our country and our people get the best from tourism growth. The Tourism Infrastructure Fund (TIF) provides up to $25 million annually to support regions in developing critical tourism infrastructure.