Growing number of visitors places tourism as NZ's top income sector

New Zealand's growing tourism industry emerges for the nation's economy, as the country's dairy exports experience decline

Until recently, dairy was the main earner of the island's economy, accounting for 25 per cent of exports. Since dairy prices have dropped, tourism took over and became New Zealand's top income sector.

International tourists bringing important NZ$13.5 billion revenue for NZ reached 3.09 million last year only.

Moreover, the weak New Zealand dollar and increasing airline capacity are expected to further boost the country's tourism.

"We are having a boom period at the moment and we expect to maintain strong levels of growth," explains Tourism Industry Association (TIA) chief executive Chris Roberts.

The Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata on the North Island and Queenstown in the South Island are two of the key locations in New Zealand that are fully booked and visited by thousands of people every day.

Meanwhile, New Zealanders are disgruntled with the foreign tourists' dangerous driving in the area. Department of Transport released concerning statistics on road accidents in New Zealand's South Island: apparently more than a quarter of the incidents are caused by tourists.

In response to this significant problem, the government invested huge amounts in safety measures, like apps, websites and awareness videos for visitors.

To prevent damaging of the country's international reputation, road safety campaigner Clive Matthew-Wilson suggests use of more prevention solutions, such as not renting cars to long-haul flights drivers and implementing competency tests for drivers at airports' car rental points.