New Zealanders’ keep overseas travel on their radar as confidence remains strong
New Zealanders’ are looking to pack their bags and head abroad for a holiday at some point in the next six months, according to the latest MasterCard Worldwide Survey on Consumer Purchasing Priorities.
Around 40% of New Zealand respondents are looking to spend on overseas travel in the next six months, up from 35% in the previous six months, and the third highest in the Asia/Pacific region behind Hong Kong (56%) and Singapore (48%).
Stuart McKinlay, country manager New Zealand, MasterCard Worldwide says “Personal overseas travel is an integral part of life for many New Zealanders and this is backed up by the survey’s findings.
“Travel is seen to be the strongest incentive to save (45%) and the third most popular purchasing priority for New Zealanders (40%) in the coming six months – both significantly higher than the Asia/Pacific average.”
The latest survey was conducted from 15 March to 12 April 2010 and involved 10,503 consumers from 24 markets[1]. Data collection was via internet surveys, personal, telephone and Computer Aided Telephone interviews, with the questionnaire translated to the local language wherever appropriate and necessary. The Index and its accompanying reports do not represent MasterCard financial performance.
Australia still ranks as the number one travel destination among 65% of respondents, though down from 73% in the previous survey. The United Kingdom is second with 23% of respondents (up from 18%) and United States of America in third with 17% (up from 12%).
As the recently released MasterCard Worldwide Index of Consumer Confidence findings indicate, New Zealanders’ are approaching the next six months with a positive frame of mind.
“New Zealanders have confidence in their employment and their regular income in the coming six months and this faith in the strengthening economy appears to be giving rise to more respondents looking to increase their discretionary spending, with travel proving popular,” says Mr. McKinlay.
In terms of domestic tourism, Kiwis can expect to see more visitors from Australia in the coming six months with the top three travel destinations amongst Australians’ including the United States (25%), New Zealand (21%) and Hong Kong (19%).
Key findings from the survey include:
Asia/Pacific
- Many in Hong Kong (50% of consumers surveyed), New Zealand (45%) and the Philippines (43%) are saving to take a holiday abroad.
- Among the Asia/Pacific markets, Hong Kong (56%), Singapore (48%) and New Zealand (40%) boast the highest number of respondents looking to spend on travelling abroad in the next six months.
- Top five destinations for Asia/Pacific travellers: Japan (as indicated by 24% of respondents who plan to spend on travel in the next six months), Australia (20%), China (20%), Hong Kong (17%) and the United States (17%).
- International personal air travel is deemed as very important or important to 58% of the respondents in Asia/Pacific who plan to spend on travel in the next six months.
mastercard.com
Twitter: @mastercardnews.
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