New Zealand Tourism Targets India And Southeast Asia Boom With Powerful Kiwi Link Events To Boost Visitor Growth

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Tourism New Zealand has escalated its international visitor growth strategies to include planning two Kiwi Link trade events in India and Southeast Asia for July as the first of a series of events to be held in this region. Such events draw the tourism sector of New Zealand closer to potential Asian travel markets to explore additional avenues for international visitor numbers, travel appetite and tourism expenditure.

The Kiwi Link programme plays an important role in connecting New Zealand tourism operators with overseas travel partners. These events bring together destination suppliers, airlines, government representatives and travel trade professionals to improve market knowledge, build business partnerships and develop stronger promotional strategies for New Zealand.

With Asia continuing to emerge as a high-value source region for international travellers, Tourism New Zealand is focusing on deeper engagement with travel advisors and industry partners who influence holiday decisions in these markets.

India Emerges as a Strong Growth Market for New Zealand Tourism

The first Kiwi Link India event was hosted in Goa, attracting a wide range of tourism businesses from New Zealand along with representatives from key aviation and government sectors. The event created a platform for direct interaction between New Zealand suppliers and Indian travel buyers looking to develop new holiday experiences for their customers.

The programme brought together 49 organisations from New Zealand, including tourism operators, destination representatives, aviation partners and immigration specialists. They connected with 75 travel buyers from different parts of India, helping strengthen commercial relationships and improve awareness of New Zealand’s diverse tourism offerings.

India has become one of New Zealand’s important long-term visitor markets. In the year ending May 2026, visitor arrivals from India reached approximately 83,000, representing growth of 2.5% compared with the previous year. The latest figures also show that Indian arrivals have recovered strongly compared with pre-pandemic levels, reaching around 125% of 2019 visitor numbers.

Holiday travel continues to represent a major part of Indian demand for New Zealand. Leisure travellers account for around one-third of total arrivals from India, with visitors travelling throughout the year rather than concentrating only during traditional peak seasons.

This year-round travel pattern provides valuable support for New Zealand’s goal of creating a more balanced tourism economy, reducing seasonal pressure while increasing visitor spending across different regions.

Travel Advisors Remain Critical for Indian Travellers

Building strong relationships with the Indian travel trade remains a central part of Tourism New Zealand’s strategy. Research shows that most potential Indian visitors prefer using travel agents when planning and booking a holiday to New Zealand.

Around 96% of travellers considering a New Zealand holiday indicate a preference for booking through an agent. This makes travel advisors a crucial link between the destination and Indian consumers, especially in a market that is highly diverse and spread across many regions.

India’s outbound tourism sector has expanded rapidly in recent years. Rising incomes, improved international air connectivity, greater travel awareness and the growth of the middle class have contributed to increasing demand for overseas experiences.

As one of the world’s fastest-growing outbound travel markets, India is expected to continue generating significant international tourism demand in the coming years.

New Zealand is positioning itself to benefit from this growth by highlighting experiences that strongly appeal to Indian travellers. Scenic landscapes, peaceful environments, nature-based activities, local cuisine and premium travel experiences remain key attractions for visitors from India.

Tourism New Zealand is focusing on themes such as food and beverage experiences and active outdoor escapes to match the interests of Indian travellers seeking memorable and meaningful holidays.

Southeast Asia Becomes Another Priority Market

Following the India event, Tourism New Zealand hosted Kiwi Link Southeast Asia in Bangkok, bringing together tourism businesses and travel partners from across the region.

The Southeast Asian event focused on four important markets: Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. While Singapore remains an established market for New Zealand tourism, the programme also aimed to strengthen awareness and demand from emerging Southeast Asian markets.

Over two days of business meetings, 46 travel trade buyers connected with 46 organisations representing New Zealand’s tourism industry. The event allowed suppliers and buyers to exchange ideas, discuss future travel trends and develop new tourism products designed for Southeast Asian travellers.

Southeast Asia represents a valuable opportunity for New Zealand due to its strong economic growth, increasing international travel demand and improving air connectivity.

Focus on Year-Round Tourism Growth

Tourism New Zealand is aiming to increase arrivals from Southeast Asian markets by encouraging more travel outside traditional peak periods.

Many travellers from Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia show strong interest in visiting New Zealand during quieter seasons. This creates opportunities to spread tourism benefits more evenly throughout the year and support businesses across different regions.

Growing demand from these markets is expected to contribute towards New Zealand’s wider tourism recovery goals. The country is targeting a return to around 3.9 million international visitors by the end of 2026, while aiming to increase tourism value to approximately NZ$14.4 billion by June 2027.

Achieving these targets depends on strengthening partnerships with international travel sellers, improving destination visibility and ensuring travellers have access to diverse experiences throughout the year.

Strong Air Connectivity Supports Asian Visitor Growth

Improved aviation links remain a major advantage for New Zealand’s tourism recovery across Asia.

Singapore continues to provide important direct air connections, while Malaysia also offers regular links that support easier travel between Southeast Asia and New Zealand.

Reliable connectivity helps encourage more visitors by making travel planning simpler and increasing confidence among international travellers.

For Asian markets, where travellers often consider convenience, accessibility and travel time when choosing destinations, strong air links are a key factor in future tourism growth.

The continued participation of New Zealand tourism operators at Kiwi Link events highlights the industry’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships and attracting more visitors from high-value Asian markets.

New Zealand Builds Stronger Tourism Future Across Asia

The Kiwi Link India and Southeast Asia events demonstrate New Zealand’s strategic focus on Asia as a major source of future tourism growth.

By working closely with travel advisors, airlines, tourism businesses and government partners, New Zealand is creating stronger pathways for travellers from across the region to discover the country.

India’s expanding outbound tourism market and Southeast Asia’s growing travel demand provide significant opportunities for New Zealand’s tourism sector. Through targeted engagement, improved connectivity and year-round travel promotion, the country is positioning itself for sustainable visitor growth.

The continued development of these Asian partnerships will remain a key part of New Zealand’s strategy to increase international arrivals, strengthen tourism value and deliver long-term benefits for communities across the country.