Budget Conscious Kiwis Boost Local Tourism

Budget conscious Kiwis looking for more affordable holiday options could provide a much needed boost to the domestic tourism industry says AA Tourism.

This announcement comes off the back of a recent survey revealing money concerns are affecting travel plans for 60 per cent of Kiwis.

Commissioned by AA Tourism, the results also show that seven out of ten New Zealanders don’t have more money than last year to spend on travel.

Rebecca Cherry, GM Marketing for AA Tourism says that as living costs continue to rise, there is less money left over for travel.

“Recently we have been hearing that many people intend on taking international holidays over winter but the reality is that many of these people are now having to scale back their plans.

“The rising cost of fuel is making airfares more expensive and even the stereotypical family holiday to the Gold Coast is becoming more unattainable with Australia increasing its departure tax substantially.

“Subsequently we are seeing a marked increase in people looking closer to home for their travel experiences. 75 per cent of Kiwis are taking more holidays around New Zealand than heading overseas, and as a result, the local tourism industry benefits hugely,” she says.

“You only need to look at AA Travel’s Hot Deals to see that great accommodation, transport and leisure packages don’t need to come at a price and there’s often benefits like free nights, complimentary meals and heavily discounted activities available. They also take the hassle out of planning a great getaway.”

The top five winter destinations for New Zealanders in 2012 are Wellington, Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch and Rotorua.

Almost half of New Zealanders are looking to get out of the city and explore New Zealand this winter and one in ten plan on booking a skiing or snowboarding holiday**.

For New Zealand travel tips, ideas and to book accommodation, visit www.aatravel.co.nz.

About AA Tourism
AA Tourism, in partnership with AAA Tourism in Australia, produce and distribute over  3.8 million guides and 3.5 million maps; promoting over 8,000 trans-Tasman properties, attractions and travel services.  Targeting more than 8 million members of the New Zealand and Australian Automobile Clubs and more than 2 million Trans-Tasman leisure and business travellers, AA Tourism has all of your travel needs covered in Australasia.

Through multiple touch-points, AA Tourism strives to help Kiwis enhance their holiday experience through its various media channels and products including AA Smartfuel, 101 Must Do’s and Hot Travel Deals.

Notes to Editors
* AA Tourism May 2012 Survey polling 2,200 New Zealanders
** AA Tourism April 2012 Survey polling 4,230 New Zealanders