Auckland’s tourism sector
Auckland is a great visitor destination - a place where big city style goes hand-in-hand with a stunning natural playground.
Auckland consistently ranks strongly in international surveys and awards as a desirable place to visit. Auckland was ranked third in the world on the 2011 and 2012 Mercer scale of global lifestyle cities and in the acclaimed 2012 Lonely Planet New Zealand travel guide Auckland is rated as having the country’s top two experiences. The Waitemata Harbour and Hauraki Gulf was rated the top New Zealand experience, with urban Auckland taking number two.
The most popular New Zealand destination
Auckland is the most visited destination in New Zealand, welcoming about 70 per cent of all visitors to the country. The region receives about 2.8 million international guest nights and 3.5 million domestic guest nights annually.
Auckland’s visitor economy was worth $3.33 billion in 2010. Expenditure by international visitors made up $1.96 billion and the remaining $1.37 billion was contributed by domestic visitors. Auckland’s tourism industry supports more than 50,000 full-time jobs.
The cruise industry is a big contributor to Auckland’s visitor economy. During the 2012-13 cruise season, Auckland is on track to welcome 178,000 passengers and 78,000 crew, which is expected to result in an injection of $114.9 million into the region’s economy.
Auckland's tourism industry
The Auckland tourism industry – like the destination itself – is incredibly diverse, with everything from small sole-operation businesses to international five-star hotels. The accommodation sector spans bed and breakfasts, luxury lodges, motels and global hotel chains such as the Hilton, The Pullman and The Langham.
Tourism activity providers take advantage of Auckland’s diverse landscapes and experiences. Visitors can enjoy a range of on-the-water experiences such as sailing, dolphin watching and harbour cruises, as well as tours centred on the region’s outstanding food and wine offerings. The Auckland region also has numerous adventure activities from canyoning and quad biking to bungy jumping and mountain biking.
Auckland is an incredibly diverse holiday destination with so much to see and do in close proximity. Within half an hour of standing on a bustling city street, visitors can be on the harbour dolphin watching, walking in a rainforest or sipping wine at a vineyard in the countryside.