New Zealand Travel and Tourism
The post-pandemic reopening of New Zealand’s borders in May 2022, the 2022-2023 resumption of flights New Zealand-United States flights, and the introduction of new routes (such as Air New Zealand’s direct flight to New York) has increased seat capacity and spurred visitor arrivals in both directions. In 2023, New Zealand visitor arrivals in the United States reached 252,538. Despite the weak New Zealand Dollar, (exchange rate: NZ$1.00 = US$0.60 as of April 2024), industry is confident that visitor arrivals will continue to trend upwards this year towards the 300,000 visitors per year levels seen before the pandemic.
New Zealand’s generous 30-day vacation policy for workers means that Kiwis have time to travel to long-haul destinations, such as the United States, the most popular long-haul destination for New Zealand travelers. American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and United Airlines operate New Zealand routes. In late 2023, United Airlines introduced a new route between Christchurch and San Francisco. National carrier Air New Zealand flies from Auckland to Honolulu, LAX, New York, and San Francisco. Air New Zealand’s Chicago route is expected to resume in October 2025.
New Zealanders still like to book travel in person at an old-fashioned bricks-and-mortar travel agent. Approximately 50% of pre-departure bookings are made through wholesalers and travel agents. This means it is important to support the marketing and training of the local travel industry. Most travelers on a valid New Zealand passport can enter the U.S. under the 90-day visa-waiver program, requiring only an ESTA authorization prior to traveling. New Zealand is not part of the Global Entry program.
The best promotional opportunity to engage with the New Zealand travel industry in the U.S. is at the annual IPW travel trade event hosted by the U.S. Travel Association, attended by a sizable New Zealand travel trade and media delegation coordinated by the U.S. Commercial Service. One of the best promotional opportunities in New Zealand, is the two-city tourism roadshow held annually in February by BrandUSA in Auckland and alternating every other year between Christchurch and Wellington. In 2025, the roadshow will take place in Auckland and Wellington. The New Zealand Visit USA Committee coordinates regional seminars to complement the main urban center seminar events. Eleven U.S. travel destinations have local representation in New Zealand: Anaheim, Anchorage, Destination DC, Grapevine TX, Hawaii, Nevada, New England, Oklahoma, Oregon, Seattle, and Utah.
For more information, please contact: Office.NewZealand@trade.gov.