Tourist spending swells with an extra $12 million during first 10 days of the RWC

Paymark

Tuesday 20th September 2011

The latest figures from Paymark show that spending via overseas credit cards through its network is up a huge 32.5 per cent, or $12.0 million, in the first 10 days of the RWC (compared to the same 10 days in 2010).

For the country as a whole, spending across both international and local cards has predictably continued to benefit selected sectors, with rental car outlets enjoying an extra $2.1 million (+ 32.5 per cent year-on-year) and accommodation providers taking an extra $0.9 million (+ 4.1 per cent year-on-year).

Hospitality has been very busy keeping up with rugby fans’ food and beverage requirements, with an extra $9.2 million spent during the Cup’s opening 10 days – an increase of 10.3 per cent year-on-year.

Paymark CEO, Simon Tong, says that the pockets of regional spending paint a picture of tourists following their teams as they move to different cities and making the most of their time in the country.

“Again this week we’ve seen big splashes of spending amongst the likely candidates of hospitality and car rentals, and surges in the cities playing host to the games. However, spending in general outside these sectors is tracking at a more modest 3.5 per cent annual growth rate.

“So while it’s clear that host cities and specific sectors are seeing great benefit from the RWC, for others the story hasn’t changed a great deal.

“We’re hearing a lot of this from customers in the more discretionary categories who are yet to feel any real impact from the RWC. With another influx of tourists expected to arrive for the finals, let’s hope we see a pickup in the wider retail sector,” says Simon Tong.

In terms of combined car rental, accommodation and hospitality spending, Southland, Waikato, Taranaki/Taupo, Otago and Northland/Auckland have had the largest spending injections.

The Southland rush was largest on Sunday 18 September when spending in the combined category was up $123,000 on the same Sunday in 2010, an increase of 43.3 per cent.

Spending in Otago was strong on both weekends but the largest increase came on Sunday September 11 with an extra $235,000.

The Taranaki/Taupo surge was strongest the day after Ireland took on the USA – Monday September 12 – when spending leapt by $101,000 or 76.5 per cent.

Waikato’s big spend-up occurred throughout the weekend of the 16th - 18th September, with spending on Saturday up $529,000 or 66.9 per cent.

The Auckland/Northland surge occurred both weekends with the largest one-day surge being an extra $1.5 million or 25.1 per cent on Saturday 10 September.

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