New Zealand's visitor arrivals rose 8.1% year-on-year in June, accelerating from a 6.7% increase in May, in a sign the country's tourism recovery continued to gather pace after pandemic-era border restrictions were lifted. Statistics New Zealand's data points to steady demand from international travelers, with tourism still rebuilding toward pre-COVID levels. Visitor arrivals in the year ended June 2024 were about 3.2 million, below the 3.9 million recorded in the year ended June 2019. The trend is a positive signal for airlines, hotels and local businesses, though capacity constraints and changing traveler preferences remain challenges ahead of the peak summer season.