New Zealand’s bet on the Indian market is paying off. Indian tourists spent a record US$ 229 mn in the year ended March 2026, while arrivals climbed to 124 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. Buoyed by the strong recovery, Tourism New Zealand is accelerating its India outreach, with premium travel and MICE emerging as key drivers of future growth.
Byline: Janice Alyosius
As Indian travellers move beyond checklist tourism towards meaningful, high-value experiences, New Zealand is positioning itself to capture the shift. Backed by record visitor spending, rising arrivals, and stronger trade engagement, the destination is sharpening its focus on India, betting on premium holidays and incentive travel to fuel its next phase of growth.
For years, New Zealand has been viewed as a dream destination for Indian travellers. Now, it is becoming a more attainable one. Improved connectivity, faster visa processing, growing trade partnerships, and evolving traveller preferences are helping the destination convert aspiration into bookings. With Indian visitor arrivals already surpassing pre-pandemic levels and spending reaching record highs, Tourism New Zealand believes the market is entering a new phase — one driven less by sightseeing and more by immersive, experience-led travel.
The changing profile of Indian visitors is equally significant. Independent travellers are replacing large escorted groups, premium experiences are gaining ground, and corporates are increasingly looking beyond traditional incentive destinations. As competition for the Indian outbound market intensifies, New Zealand is strengthening its value proposition through trade engagement, destination education, and dedicated MICE incentives.
Gregg Wafelbakker, General Manager Asia, Tourism New Zealand, said India has emerged as one of New Zealand’s most promising source markets, supported by strong recovery and changing traveller aspirations. “Indian travellers are increasingly seeking authentic, experience-led holidays rather than traditional sightseeing. We are seeing growing demand for Māori cultural experiences, adventure, wellness, luxury lodges, and immersive nature-based activities. In response, operators are tailoring products and itineraries to deliver more personalised, premium, and culturally enriching experiences,” he said.
The numbers reinforce the trend. Indian arrivals reached 124 per cent of 2019 levels in the year ended March 2026, while visitor expenditure climbed to US$ 229 mn, nearly 49 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels. Around 80 per cent of Indian visitors are travelling to New Zealand for the first time, spending an average of US$ 4,457.87 per trip, while the average length of stay has remained steady at 11–12 days. Couples and solo travellers now account for the largest share of visitors, with growing interest from mature, higher-spending travellers.
Travel patterns are evolving alongside visitor profiles. Auckland remains the principal gateway, while Otago and Canterbury continue to attract strong demand. Rental car usage has nearly doubled, reflecting growing confidence among Indian travellers to explore independently. Nature, adventure, glaciers, hiking, beaches, and stargazing remain major drawcards, complemented by rising demand for luxury lodges and premium dining experiences.
For the meetings and incentives segment, New Zealand is focusing on delivering long-term value rather than competing on price alone. Wafelbakker said, “New Zealand is positioned as a destination that delivers memorable, high-impact experiences that drive employee engagement and reward top performers. While it is a premium destination, corporates recognise the value of offering unique experiences, world-class hospitality, and exclusive access that create lasting impact beyond the trip itself. We also have a dedicated MICE incentive reward programme in place to encourage more incentive groups to the destination.”
He added that improved airline capacity through major transit hubs has strengthened accessibility, while New Zealand’s visa processing time of around two weeks is supporting demand, although planners continue to factor in longer lead times for larger groups.
Looking ahead, Tourism New Zealand is maintaining its long-term focus on India through stronger engagement with the travel trade.
Tishtar Parakh, Country Manager, Tourism New Zealand, said, “India continues to be one of New Zealand’s priority growth markets, with strong demand driven by increasing air connectivity and growing interest in premium, immersive travel experiences. The upcoming India Tour of New Zealand beginning in October will deepen engagement with the travel trade across key cities. We are also excited to welcome close to 50 New Zealand tourism operators to Goa later this month for Kiwi Link India, where they will connect with leading Indian buyers, strengthen partnerships, and unlock new opportunities to grow visitation from India. Together, these initiatives reinforce our commitment to equipping the trade with stronger destination knowledge and inspiring more Indian travellers to choose New Zealand.”
Janice Alyosius is a travel and MICE journalist focusing on business travel, destination marketing, aviation and industry policy. She leads editorial content at MICEtalk and also writes for TravTalk, covering global trends, trade developments and key industry conversations. With regular reporting from tourism forums, conventions and on-ground industry events, her work blends news-led analysis with strong industry voices, offering clear context and relevance for travel trade professionals and decision-makers.