Over 500,000 tourists are expected to visit New Zealand in January and February 2023. This will be the highest number of visitors since the relaxing of covid travel restrictions.
New Zealand opened its international border on July 31, a relief to the 5% of the population who rely on tourism for their livelihood.
In November 2022, the New Zealand government pledged NZ $54 towards sustainable tourism projects.
The country expects visitor numbers to continue on an upward trajectory, with between 470,000 and 530,000 international visitors gauged to arrive over the next two months.
Another attractive factor is the Women’s Football World Cup which will run between July 20 and August 20, 2023. New Zealand and Australia will co-host all the matches, this will be the first time two nations have hosted the event and the first edition ever held in the Southern Hemisphere.
