HAVING emerged from a record-breaking summer when visitor arrivals, guest nights and accommodation occupancy all reached unprecedented levels, Auckland is revising upwards its 2021 target for annual tourism revenue.
The destination is targeting annual tourism revenue of NZ$7.2 billion by 2021, up from the NZ$4.8 billion announced in 2012.
Auckland has been making significant investments in the visitor economy over the past three years, including the development of Shed 10 as a cruise ship terminal, new infrastructure to accommodate superyachts at Westhaven Marina, and a NZ$20 million (US$17.3 million) investment in the WERO whitewater rafting tourism destination in Manukau.
Explore Group, based in Auckland, has also just announced at TRENZ it will begin offering daily departures on the power catamaran Discovery 5 to the Hauraki Gulf islands of Rangitoto, Motutapu and Waiheke in July.
Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) chief executive, Brett O’Riley, said the focus is to increase demand for Auckland and enhance the visitor experience.
“Over the next decade it is estimated that Auckland’s inbound air capacity will need to grow by around 200,000 seats per year and Auckland will need up to 3,400 new hotel rooms by 2021,” he said.
“Auckland is ripe for future investment and several hotels are already under construction or in the planning stages. The investment is happening in step with visitor demand and in a way that maintains profitability and yield for the industry,” said O’Riley.
