Visitors to New Zealand are spending more than previously thought, according to a report from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
New information reveals tourists to the country spend around $1.7 billion more than previous estimations accounted for.
The average yearly spend has now been adjusted to $6.6 billion. The new results were calculated thanks to development of New Zealand's International Visitor Survey, which is the country's primary measure of tourists' spend and behaviour. Historical data has also been adjusted to reflect the development.
Apart from the increased spending figures, the survey improvements also brought some other significant trends to light.
"Firstly, there has been a large decrease in the total spend by visitors from the United Kingdom. As well as a decrease of 23 per cent in total spend by UK visitors over the year ended 30 September 2013, average spend has decreased 16 per cent. Not only are fewer people from the United Kingdom visiting New Zealand - the visitors that do come here are spending less," said the MBIE's Manager of Sector Performance Peter Ellis.
However, the number of visitors from the US continues to grow, while Australia remains New Zealand's largest market for tourism. In the year ending September 30 2013, Australians spent $2.3 billion visiting neighbouring New Zealand.
In addition, visitors from China continue to spend an increasing amount in the country and form a key part of New Zealand's tourist market.
