Key Takeaways
• Air India and Air New Zealand signed an MoU on March 19, 2025, to explore direct flights by 2028.
• Over 72% of Indian tourists visited New Zealand during off-peak seasons in 2023, boosting year-round tourism efficiency.
• Indian visitors spent NZD 5,927 per person and stayed an average of 13 days in New Zealand in 2023.
New Zealand has set its sights on India 🇮🇳 as a priority for expanding its tourism sector, marking a significant step in the country’s global tourism strategy. With tourism being a major contributor to New Zealand’s 🇳🇿 economy, directing resources toward Indian travelers is expected to yield substantial economic and cultural benefits for both nations. Efforts range from exploring critical air connectivity options and curating year-round marketing programs to forming key partnerships with Indian travel operators. With these initiatives, New Zealand aims to position itself as a top destination for Indian tourists while fostering deeper bilateral ties.
Strengthening Connectivity: A Direct Path to Success
One of the central components of New Zealand’s strategy to attract Indian travelers is improving travel accessibility. On March 19, 2025, a groundbreaking agreement was signed between Air India and Air New Zealand to explore the feasibility of direct flights between India 🇮🇳 and New Zealand 🇳🇿. Supported by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) emphasizes investigating direct air connectivity by 2028. Removing the reliance on long layovers and indirect routes would be a game-changer for travelers from India.
Currently, Indian tourists traveling to New Zealand often have to endure lengthy transit stops in third countries, making the journey cumbersome and time-intensive. For example, a trip from Mumbai or Delhi can involve connections in Southeast Asia, Australia, or the Middle East, extending the total travel time. Introducing direct flights would simplify the journey, cutting travel hours and eliminating logistical barriers, ultimately creating a more enjoyable and efficient experience.
Direct connectivity has the added benefit of boosting New Zealand’s appeal among high-end travelers—individuals and families who value convenience and are willing to spend more to have a seamless travel experience. As reported by VisaVerge.com, such steps are a cornerstone of making New Zealand more accessible and desirable for Indian tourists. With the promise of direct flights, New Zealand lays down a solid foundation for transforming its connectivity with India.
Smart Marketing: Targeting Year-Round Tourism
Seasonality is a common challenge in the travel industry, and New Zealand is no exception. Peak travel seasons not only strain resources but also leave tourism-related businesses underutilized during quieter months. To address this imbalance, New Zealand has devised a specialized approach by marketing itself to Indian travelers during their summer vacation period, which spans March to June. This coincides with the quieter autumn and winter seasons in New Zealand.
Tourism New Zealand collaborates with key partners such as Auckland Airport and Air New Zealand to launch campaigns aimed at enticing visitors during these “off-peak” periods. These marketing efforts highlight New Zealand’s iconic attractions, such as its stunning landscapes, thrilling adventure activities, and unique Maori cultural experiences. Additionally, seasonal offerings are tailored to Indian preferences, focusing on family-friendly destinations, food options suitable for Indian travelers, and organized group packages for maximum convenience.
Data supports this strategy: In 2023, over 72% of Indian tourists visited New Zealand during the off-peak months, capitalizing on less crowded destinations and better deals on accommodations and activities. By focusing on seasonal tourism, New Zealand not only addresses operational inefficiencies but also delivers premium travel experiences to Indian visitors, who prefer quieter and more personalized vacations.
Strategic Partnerships with Indian Operators
A key factor in enhancing New Zealand’s visibility and attractiveness in the Indian market lies in its partnerships with local travel operators. To this end, Tourism New Zealand has joined forces with nine major Indian travel companies, including well-known names such as MakeMyTrip, EaseMyTrip, SOTC Travel, Thomas Cook India, and Kesari Tours. These partnerships aim to develop exclusive travel packages that cater to Indian tastes and interests.
The curated travel experiences emphasize holidays during New Zealand’s winter and spring—a time when the country’s stunning vistas, from snow-capped mountains to vibrant spring blossoms, offer a unique appeal. Activities such as scenic drives, adventure sports, and cultural events feature prominently in these itineraries. Through Indian travel operators’ expertise and wide-reaching platforms, New Zealand ensures its tourism offerings are accessible to diverse segments of Indian travelers, including solo adventurers, luxury seekers, and family-oriented tourists.
Further, these collaborations are key to building trust and confidence among prospective visitors. Indian travelers often rely heavily on recommendations from trusted local agencies when planning international trips. By involving these agencies, New Zealand bridges cultural and logistical gaps, providing enhanced support for visitors even before their journey begins.
Economic Benefits of Indian Tourism
Indian travelers are increasingly regarded as one of the most lucrative tourism demographics worldwide, and New Zealand is no exception. Indian tourists not only stay longer but also spend more during their trips compared to other visitor groups. In 2023, Indian holidaymakers averaged a stay of 13 days in New Zealand, spending around NZD 5,927 per person. This significantly surpasses the overall visitor average of NZD 5,171, making Indian tourists a critical market for economic growth.
Indian tourists’ contributions extend beyond their spending on accommodations, food, and activities. Their support fuels a range of New Zealand’s businesses, from adventure operators to regional communities, and drives demand for local crafts and services. Towns and regions that might otherwise depend on seasonal domestic tourists benefit from increased international visitor traffic, providing year-round income opportunities for businesses and employees.
Furthermore, the financial stimulus generated by Indian tourists contributes directly to New Zealand’s GDP, supports local employment, and strengthens the country’s ability to invest in tourism infrastructure to attract even more international visitors.
Numbers Reflect Growing Potential
India’s importance as a target market for New Zealand tourism becomes evident through key statistics. In 2019, Indian visitor arrivals totaled 66,775, and by 2023, that number had climbed to 84,315. The recovery rate reflects a post-pandemic resurgence, with total visitor arrivals increasing by over 125% and holiday-specific arrivals growing by 70.6%.
This trend underscores the demographic shift and the rising wanderlust of India’s middle class, which is more financially capable of exploring long-haul destinations. The combination of disposable income, interest in international experiences, and greater accessibility positions India as an indispensable partner in New Zealand’s tourism roadmap.
Beyond Tourism: Building Bilateral Ties
The collaboration between New Zealand and India in tourism extends beyond short-term visitor exchanges—it is instrumental in building long-lasting bilateral relationships. Tourism helps foster cultural understanding by allowing travelers to engage with host communities through shared experiences. New Zealand has actively worked to provide Indian-specialized services, from culturally tailored hospitality to festivals honoring Indian traditions. These efforts not only enrich tourists’ experiences but also deepen mutual respect between the two nations.
The ongoing discussions about launching direct flights have broader implications, too. Enhancing mobility for travelers could serve as a stepping stone toward more extensive partnerships in education, trade, and technology, creating stronger economic and diplomatic ties. Recent trends in global tourism have shown that robust travel relations often lead to expanded trade and investment opportunities between countries, setting the stage for mutual growth.
A Bright Future for Indian-New Zealand Tourism
The partnership between New Zealand and India in tourism represents an exciting chapter in their relationship. New Zealand has demonstrated its commitment by addressing logistical challenges through exploratory measures like direct flights, developing travel campaigns tailored to Indian preferences, and partnerships with trusted Indian operators. With in-depth planning, strong marketing, and seamless experiences, the outlook for Indian tourism to New Zealand remains promising.
For Indian travelers, New Zealand stands as a dream destination offering adventure, culture, and relaxation in a single trip. Equally, the collaboration introduces New Zealand to a generation of Indian tourists seeking meaningful and immersive experiences while fostering economic and cultural connections.
As global travel evolves, New Zealand’s proactive engagement with Indian travelers signifies not just an economic opportunity, but also a celebration of shared ties and future possibilities. If current growth trends sustain momentum, the partnership will indeed unlock new horizons for both nations. For further details on tourism collaboration, visit New Zealand Immigration’s official website at immigration.govt.nz.
Learn Today
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) → A formal agreement between parties outlining intentions and plans without creating legally binding obligations.
Connectivity → The ease and methods of travel between destinations, typically involving air, road, or other transportation links.
Seasonality → Fluctuations in tourism activity based on specific times of the year due to weather, holidays, or cultural tendencies.
Bilateral Ties → Cooperative and mutually beneficial relationships between two countries, often involving economic, cultural, or political collaboration.
Culturally Tailored Hospitality → Customized services and experiences that align with the cultural preferences and needs of specific visitor groups.
This Article in a Nutshell
New Zealand targets India as a key tourism market, promising direct flights by 2028 and tailored experiences. Collaborating with Indian operators, it promotes year-round travel, aligning with Indian interests. Beyond boosting tourism revenue, this strategy strengthens cultural and economic ties, positioning New Zealand as an accessible, enchanting haven for Indian travelers.
— By VisaVerge.com
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