NZ ski season still on thin ice
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New Zealand tourism companies are becoming less pessimistic about demand amid expectations a good alpine skiing season may bolster arrivals from Australia, according to a survey. The NZ Herald reported about 54% of companies saying demand will fall in the next three months down from 64% in the June survey, according to a report published by the Ministry of Tourism and the Tourism Industry Association. 23% of the 578 respondents expect an increase in demand.
Low temperatures and snow falls have fanned expectations of a prolonged skiing season, which may boost arrivals from Australia at a time when recession and swine flu deter visitors from Asia and Europe.
Air New Zealand and Qantas have added flights to Queenstown, making tourism companies in that region the least pessimistic. On average, companies expect a 4.5% drop in demand over the next three months, the survey showed. In the lower South Island, demand is expected to fall no more than 3%.
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