New Zealand’s tourism and business-travel sector is recalibrating its growth strategy, with renewed focus on attracting business travellers to drive long-term recovery and economic diversification.
According to Stats NZ, overseas visitor arrivals reached 230,300 in August 2025, an increase of 16,000 compared with August 2024. The figure represents about 92 per cent of the August 2019 baseline of 251,100 arrivals. While the steady climb signals recovery, analysts note that the country still “lags” slightly behind pre-pandemic levels.
Commentators suggest that the key to surpassing those figures lies in business travel. “A sustainable avenue to nudge us to, and then over, pre-Covid traveller numbers is to embrace the business traveller,” one industry voice said.
Cities such as Auckland and Christchurch are positioning themselves to capture the business-travel segment. Auckland’s New Zealand International Convention Centre is scheduled to open next year, creating capacity for large-scale international events.
Christchurch, meanwhile, is upgrading its hotels, transport links, and venues to attract corporate gatherings and conferences.
The Government’s $70 million fund for major events is described as a “game-changer”, designed to give the confidence and scale needed to attract major international conferences. The current developments, combined with private investment, are expected to boost the country’s ability to host business and incentive travel at a global level.
Jetstar Airways recently announced its largest-ever New Zealand network expansion, adding 660,000 new seats across domestic and Trans-Tasman routes. New services include daily Christchurch–Melbourne flights, increased Auckland–Sydney and Auckland–Brisbane services, and a new Brisbane–Queenstown route planned for the 2026 ski season.
The industry has noted that “more people want to extend their trips for a personal holiday.” The so-called “bleisure” trend — mixing business with leisure — has become an expectation rather than an exception. Research cited by the industry shows that over 60 per cent of corporate travellers now prefer to extend their trips for personal experiences.
Industry leaders argue that focusing on business travellers aligns with New Zealand’s long-term economic priorities. Business travel tends to generate higher spending and longer stays, providing benefits that extend outside of major cities to regional economies.