New Zealand’s cycling market has the potential to more than double the amount of money tourists spend annually – from $320 million to $640 million.
That’s according to a new market research report released by the Ministry of Tourism today.
The report says this estimate is heavily dependent on New Zealand getting the product (cycle tourism) right, providing safe trails with good support services and amenities - including accommodation and information – and investing strongly in marketing the entire experience.
General Manager, Ray Salter, says the report provides a number of key findings that give certainty to the government’s drive to invest in cycling tourism.
"The report was commissioned to give us a better infrastructure for understanding the scope, size and characteristics of the domestic and international cycling markets.
"Among other things it tells us:
- There is considerable potential to grow the Australian cycling market - it grew by 21 percent in Australia last year
- After Australia, our next largest cycling markets are the United Kingdom and the United States
- With only small increases in participation, international cycle tourists expenditures could increase by $150 million and domestic expenditure by $83 million annually
- The entire visitor experience – accommodation, services, information, scenic values - are important, not just the cycling aspect.
"The Ministry is making this research available to potential applicants for Phase Two of the New Zealand Cycleway Project process. I expect the research findings to provide a useful basis for developing their Concept Proposals."
Phase Two refers to the funding process for all future cycle way proposals. Phase one was announced in July as the seven `Quick Start’ projects.
Mr Salter says the work on the Phase Two funding process is well underway and will be announced at the end of September.
"A format will be provided so I’m asking people not to send any proposals just yet."
He says the Ministry will be looking for proposals to reflect a strong regional partnership approach to the development of cycleway projects.
The New Zealand Cycleway Market Research Report is available at: http://www.tourism.govt.nz/cycleway.
