According to Statistics from New Zealand, New Zealand hosted a total of 122,000 Chinese tourists in January this year and as a result China has overtaken Japan to become the fourth largest tourist source market for New Zealand.

In January this year, the number of Chinese tourists to New Zealand increased by 14.6%, 15,500 higher than that of the same month last year. In January 2008, New Zealand welcomed 119,500 visitors from Japan, representing a decrease of 14,000, 10.5% lower than the same month last year.

Among international arrivals to New Zealand in January this year, Australian tourists were 956,400, ranked as first place; and followed by 289,400 from Britain and 219,400 from the United States.

At present, tourism revenues account for about 10% of New Zealand's gross domestic product — the second largest foreign exchange earning industry after the dairy industry.