International visitor numbers stuck at 85% of pre-covid levels

International visitor numbers stuck at 85% of pre-covid levels
(Image: Getty)
Staff reporters
Overseas visitor arrivals were 240,200 in October, an increase of 14,200 from October last year but 15% down on pre-pandemic levels.Stats New Zealand figures show the annual arrival total to October was just over 3.2 million, down around 17% on the bumper 2019 year and just ahead of numbers last seen in 2015.While annual spending is on par with pre-pandemic levels (about $11.2b in the year to March), the country has lost four years of spending growth since borders were closed in March 2020 before their gradual reopening from 2022.ASB senior eco...