Regional data

Regional level data is available in a number of ways through the Core Tourism Dataset. A collection of regional-level data for each RTO can be found in the By Region section of the website. Below is a summary of the regional data available in the surveys in the Core Tourism Dataset and how each data source can be used.

• Commercial Accommodation Monitor (CAM)
• Regional Tourism Data 2006-2011
• International Visitor Survey (IVS)
• Domestic Travel Survey (DTS)
• Regional Visitor Monitor (RVM)

Commercial Accommodation Monitor (CAM)

The CAM measures guest nights, occupancy rates and establishment numbers by type of accommodation. This can be obtained at the Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO) level, and with reduced functionality at the Territorial Authority (TA) level. Because the CAM is a census, it is the most accurate source of regional data. It is the only survey recommended by the Tourism Strategy Group to be used for KPI measurement at the regional level.

Commercial Accomodation Monitor data

New Zealand Regional Tourism Estimates 2006 to 2011

New Regional Tourism Estimates for the year ending March 2012 will be available in July 2013. Following this, they will be updated annually in November each year, starting in November 2013 (to provide estimates for the year ending March 2013).

The new Regional Tourism Estimates will draw on the electronic transactions data behind the Regional Tourism Indicators as well as the International Visitor Survey and the Tourism Satellite Account. They will provide reliable estimates of total visitor spend by origin, destination, and industry for both international and domestic tourism. At this stage they will not be able to provide regional estimates of the number of visits or visitor nights. A project will look into the possibility of reliable estimating the number of visits at a regional level in 2014.

Until those new Estimates are released, the best available estimates of the absolute value of tourism at a regional level are the “New Zealand Regional Tourism Estimates 2006-2011.

They synthesise a wide range of tourism data including the International Visitors Survey (IVS), Domestic Travel Survey (DTS), and electronic transactions data.

Both the IVS and DTS collect information on travel activity and expenditure by international and domestic visitors. Expenditure information is only collected for whole trips; it is not specific to regions, e.g. Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs). In order to determine the level of visitor activity and expenditure in specific regions, Regional Estimates tables are modelled to estimate visitor nights, visits and expenditure at the RTO level.

Regional Estimates tables are based on historical data from the IVS and DTS, and a complex smoothing and adjustment process is applied to compensate for sample design and sample size characteristics, and shocks such as the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Also, source IVS and DTS data has been adjusted to include children under 15 years of age, who are outside the scope of these surveys.

Regional Tourism Data Pivot Tables 2006 to 2011 [725 KB XLSX]*

* Note – this file is in protected mode which disables pivot table and pivot chart filters. To turn filters on, click “enable editing” at the top of the file.

Provided below, a chart illustrating 2010 to 2011 growth in regional tourist expenditure, relative to the 2011 size of regional tourist expenditure:

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International Visitor Survey (IVS)

The IVS provides origin of guest, attractions and activity, transport type and length of stay information, at the regional level. Due to low sample sizes at the regional level, caution must be exercised in interpreting the data and it is recommended data be used as indicative and for monitoring trends. Data reliability tables are available to assist in analysis.

Regional IVS data can be accessed through:

IVS online database
 

Domestic Travel Survey (DTS)

The DTS provides regional level data on origin of guest, attractions and activity, transport type and length of stay information, at the regional level for both day and overnight travellers. Due to low sample sizes at the regional level, caution must be exercised in interpreting the data and it is recommended data be used as indicative and for monitoring trends. Data reliability tables are available to assist in analysis.

Regional DTS data can be accessed through:

DTS online database

Regional Visitor Monitor (RVM)

The RVM survey is a partnership between the Ministry of Economic Development, Tourism New Zealand and the Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) for Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Canterbury, Queenstown and Dunedin.

Individual regions receive copies of their own reports. To discuss regional level findings contact the respective RTOs. A publicly available national benchmark report can be found here:

RVM National Reports