360DigitalInfluence

Australians and Kiwis are known for their friendly rivalry - the battle over who ‘owns’ Russell Crow, who invented the pavlova dessert and which team will win next year’s Rugby World Cup.

We also know Aussies love to laugh over how Kiwis say ‘fish and chips’ (fush and chups) and the number ’six’ (sex). Despite all of this Australians are visiting their Trans Tasman neighbours more than ever before.

Australia is New Zealand’s largest source of international visitors making a significant contribution to the country’s largest export earner. Nineteen per cent more Aussie holiday makers have crossed ‘the ditch’ than last year. At the same time almost ten percent less Brits, NZ’s second largest market, are making the journey down under.

We’ve seen NZ’s tourism industry benefit from improved air access, favourable exchange rates and positive word of mouth. We’ve also recently witnessed the largest ever marketing spend of Tourism New Zealand and Regional Tourism Organisations in Australia.

This isn’t one sided either. Although Australia isn’t experiencing such a dramatic spike in Kiwis holidaying on their shores, the market is still their largest. Around 1.1 million Kiwis visit Australia each year - around one quarter of the country’s total population. In March 2010 this increased seven percent compared to March 2009.

So, is all this Trans Tasman banter just hot air?