The provided table elucidates the key characteristics of visitors to New Zealand during the month of September for the years 2012 and 2016.
Overall, the data indicates a considerable increase in total visitor arrivals and specific categories of travel purpose and age groups between the two years.
In 2012, New Zealand welcomed a total of 179,069 visitors, with a noticeable demographic distribution. The largest segment comprised holidaymakers, accounting for 79,136 individuals, followed by 56,112 visitors intending to see friends and family, and 19,984 business travelers. Educational visitors numbered 3,184, while attendees of conferences and conventions totaled 6,160. By 2016, the total visitor count surged to 245,089, signifying an increase across all categories. Holiday visitors rose to 123,200, while those visiting friends and relatives increased to 69,776. Business travel saw a modest rise to 22,800, and educational visitors reached 4,432, with conference attendees experiencing a slight increase to 6,640.
A closer examination of age demographics reveals significant growth in visitor numbers across various age brackets. In 2012, individuals under 15 years constituted 17,216 of the total arrivals, while the 35-44 age group accounted for 30,720 visitors, and those aged 65 and over represented 13,200. By 2016, the number of visitors under 15 increased to 21,856, the 35-44 age group expanded to 40,192, and the older demographic of 65+ experienced a substantial rise to 20,384. This data underscores a broadening appeal of New Zealand as a travel destination, attracting diverse age groups and purposes for visitation over the specified period