Chinese tourists NZ's biggest spenders

  • 29/07/2015
The average Chinese tourist spends $705 a day (file)
The average Chinese tourist spends $705 a day (file)

Over the past few weeks the news has been filled with negative stories about Chinese people.

But Katherine Cole, Hotels.com regional director of New Zealand, Australia and Singapore, says Kiwis should appreciate how much money they pump into our economy.

"Chinese travellers are actually the biggest spenders when you look at travellers coming into New Zealand. It's great for the hospitality industry, businesses like restaurants, shopping, you name it. They're the number one spenders."

Ms Cole says it's a myth Chinese travellers book everything at home, then spend nothing while they're here in New Zealand. The average tourist spends $705 a day, and top 10 percent, $4500.

"It's unbelievable."

Watch the video for the full interview with Katherine Cole.