Australia, New Zealand Poised to Surpass 2024 Tourist Record by 2026

Australia and New Zealand are on track to exceed their record tourism numbers from 2024 by 2026. Both nations have experienced notable recovery in their tourism sectors since the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. As travelers resume their journeys, the governments and tourism boards of both countries are implementing strategic measures to attract even more visitors.

New Zealand’s Tourism Growth in 2024

By the end of December 2024, New Zealand welcomed approximately 3.31 million international visitors. This marks a substantial 12% increase compared to the previous year. However, this figure still falls short of 85% of the pre-pandemic levels of 2019, which recorded 3.89 million visitors.

Factors Behind New Zealand’s Recovery

• Key markets like Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and China have not fully returned.
• New Zealand faces increased competition from other destinations.
• Visitor spending is currently at about 90% of 2019 levels.

Despite these challenges, New Zealand’s recovery is attributed to improved air travel connections and a rising interest in outdoor experiences among tourists.

Strategies for Record Tourism

To surpass its previous records, New Zealand needs to focus on several strategies:

• Enhancing recovery in key source markets like Australia and the U.S.
• Increasing marketing efforts for destinations like Milford Sound and Auckland.
• Expanding tourism infrastructure and accommodations.
• Diversifying visitor experiences, especially sustainable travel options.

Australia’s Tourism Landscape in 2024

Australia, too, has witnessed growth within its tourism sector, welcoming 8.4 million short-term visitors during the financial year 2024-2025. This translates to a 5.5% increase over the previous year. Nonetheless, these numbers remain below the pre-pandemic level of 8.9 million visitors recorded in 2019.

Key Developments in Australia’s Recovery

While Australia’s tourism numbers are improving, some markets have yet to rebound fully. Notable areas of concern include:

• Visitor numbers from China remain significantly lower than pre-COVID levels.
• Overall arrivals have not reached the record highs seen in December 2019, which recorded over 1 million visitors.

Factors such as improved air connectivity and attractive natural and cultural destinations have driven Australia’s recovery.

Potential for Tourism Record

To break its tourism record, Australia should consider several strategies:

• Streamlining visa processes to attract visitors more easily.
• Restoring the visits of tourists from key markets, especially China.
• Focusing on sustainable tourism initiatives, such as the conservation of the Great Barrier Reef.
• Investing in tourist infrastructure, especially in regional areas.

Both Australia and New Zealand are poised for a tourism renaissance, with strategic efforts aiming to exceed past records and enhance visitor experiences by 2026. As they implement these changes, the recovery and growth of their tourism sectors appear promising.