Hope on the horizon for Auckland’s tourism industry

International arrivals into Tāmaki Makaurau have not yet exceeded pre-pandemic levels, though change is noticeable in the city centre.

Auckland City hospitality worker, Rochelle Mitchell, has noticed a “positive change” in Auckland’s tourism sector from her workplace in Hotel Britomart.

“In Tāmaki Makaurau I feel like tourism brings people together.

“Kiwis, we just sort of have it in our blood, we want to help everyone and it’s one of those things that brings us together.”

Mitchell has worked in Auckland central for three years, witnessing the pandemic’s recovery first hand.

Manager of Tourism, Evidence and Insights at MBIE (Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment), Amapola Generosa speaks of the reasoning behind the slow uptick in international tourism numbers.

“This is due to a range of factors, with the most significant being lower international visitor arrivals from some countries, such as China which only reopened its border in January 2023.”

Generosa is confident that rising tourism numbers will mean a return to pre-covid numbers.

She says that there are several reasons that current numbers of tourists haven't yet met pre-covid levels.

China’s borders following the pandemic opened in January of 2023, which Generosa notes is a key factor in these fewer numbers.

China was New Zealand’s second largest source of international visitation in 2019, behind Australia.

Mitchell also comments on the locations the tourists have come from, many being from the US and Australia.

“We need more international tourists coming and staying.”

Mitchell has noticed an increase in arrivals into her hotel, though many from New Zealand citizens.

“A lot of the time they’re not tourists, they’re just here for work.”

A large majority of tourists visit between December and February, so international arrival numbers are expected to drop over winter.

MBIE is unable to predict the tourism forecast for 2024, though expresses hope for a rebound in visitor numbers and revenue.

Listen to Te Waha Nui’s Madison Derbyshire-Smith speaking with Britomart Hotel’s Rochelle Mitchell here.