Returning tourists offset falling primary prices

Returning tourists offset falling primary prices
(Image: Getty)
Staff reporters
International tourists help narrow the trade deficit in the first quarter of 2023.Visitors to New Zealand spent $3.8 billion in the quarter, a 385% increase on the same period in 2022.The biggest chunk came from Australia (22%), followed by China (13%) and the USA (12%).Levels of spending from Australian visitors are now almost back to pre-covid levels, Stats NZ said.The increase in tourist spending helped to offset a decline in the merchandise (goods) terms of trade, which was down 1.3% compared to the previous quarter.This was driven by falli...