New Zealand Executive Government Speech Archive

Distinguished representatives of the South African tourism and business communities, ladies and gentlemen. I am pleased to be here this morning and to introduce Mr Chris Ryan, a senior representative of the New Zealand Tourism Board. Chris will shortly talk about tourism in New Zealand.

But before that let me congratulate you on the impressive growth in tourism to South Africa in recent years. Your tourist attractions are well known. And the influx of new tourists to South Africa in the last couple of years has been remarkable. You are clearly doing something right and I know that Chris looks forward to talking with you about South Africa's promotion strategies while he is here.

The New Zealand tourism industry is pretty successful too. It is our largest foreign exchange earner. Last year 1.4 million tourists visited New Zealand. But I wont bore you with statistics. My role this morning is to set the scene on why I believe South Africans should focus more on New Zealand as a tourist destination.

New Zealanders have a passion for travel and we recognise the value of tourism. We know and are proud of our beautiful country. And New Zealanders are naturally hospitable. That is an argument in itself why more South Africans should visit us.

We know too that South Africans love to travel, with some 1.3 million outbound travellers a year. Increasingly you are travelling further afield. Not just to regional destinations, but to Britain, Europe, South America and Australia. As yet only a small but increasing number of you are coming on to New Zealand. Just 9000 in the year to May 1996.

That is only about 0.7 per cent of the total outbound South African market. Clearly there is room for considerable growth in tourists from South Africa to New Zealand. Most of you come to New Zealand for two reasons - as tourists or to visit family and friends living in New Zealand.

A small, but growing, number are coming for business. And we would like to see more South Africans make the journey to New Zealand. That is why we are here today. We believe that if you make the effort, and help us in promoting New Zealand, you wont be disappointed.

I know the New Zealand Tourism Board views the South African market as offering good potential. A number of positive developments in recent years justify this view. Increased people to people exchanges are underway. Renewed sporting links - on the rugby fields, netball courts and cricket pitches - are evidence of that.

There have also been strengthening educational contacts, business ties and an inflow of professionally trained South African migrants as well. The opening later today of our first resident High Commission in Pretoria will further raise New Zealands profile in the region. It is also becoming easier to get to New Zealand.

Modern air transport means we are no more than a days flight from here.

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Our international airports are serviced by most of the worlds major airlines, offering daily return services to Europe, the United States, North and South-East Asia and Australia. There are around 255 inbound flights a week from 22 airlines. An additional five airlines have code sharing arrangements with airlines flying to New Zealand. And that includes South African Airways.

Later this month air services negotiations will be held between our two countries. I hope they will enable our respective national carriers to operate services directly between New Zealand and South Africa. Another area which I know has impeded tourist growth in the past is the requirement for South African visitors to New Zealand to obtain a visa.

The current arrangement is cumbersome and costly. I am very pleased to be able to announce, therefore, that as from the end of this year visas will no longer be required for South Africans wishing to visit New Zealand. If we are able to move to direct air links, with visas no longer being a necessity, then I am confident visitor numbers will increase dramatically.

Ladies and gentlemen, the best way for you to appreciate New Zealand as a tourist destination is to see it for yourselves. Our diverse landscapes, coastline, native forest, magnificent Southern Alps, wilderness areas, cultural heritage, urban sophistication and mild climate make New Zealand an ideal destination for South Africans. Come visit us soon - we welcome you.