March 26, 2025 | By Anita Jain Shah

New Zealand is making a strong push to attract Indian travellers, recognising India as one of its fastest-growing inbound tourism markets. During New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s recent visit to Mumbai, Tourism New Zealand signed multiple strategic agreements with leading Indian travel operators, including Thomas Cook, Kesari Tours, MakeMyTrip, and EaseMyTrip. These partnerships aim to facilitate and enhance travel experiences for Indian tourists, who are showing increasing interest in visiting the island nation.

With India now ranking as the fifth-largest source market for New Zealand tourism, the latest agreements are expected to accelerate visitor numbers. According to Tourism New Zealand, Indian arrivals have seen an impressive 15% year-on-year growth. In 2024, over 83,000 Indian travellers visited New Zealand, with 30% being Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) traffic.

Strategic Travel Partnerships
Recognising the growing Indian demand, Tourism New Zealand has entered joint ventures with prominent travel companies to promote tailor-made itineraries. The agreements with Thomas Cook, Kesari Tours, SOTC, and other operators will introduce new travel products catering to Indian tourists’ preferences, particularly focusing on New Zealand’s winter and spring seasons. These partnerships will also enable better visa facilitation, attractive tour packages, and increased awareness of New Zealand as a premium destination.

Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays at Thomas Cook India, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “New Zealand has always been a sought-after destination for Indian travellers. Through this partnership, we aim to offer customised experiences, from adventure tourism to luxury and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) travel.”

Kesari Tours, known for its strong presence in India’s group travel segment, will develop packages catering to families, honeymooners, and senior travellers. The focus will be on seamless logistics, guided tours, and multilingual support to enhance the travel experience for Indians visiting New Zealand for the first time.

Air Connectivity Boost: Code-Share Between Air New Zealand and Air India
To complement the surge in demand, Air New Zealand has signed a key code-share agreement with Air India, improving air connectivity between the two countries. The agreement will allow Indian travellers to fly to New Zealand via connecting hubs like Singapore, Sydney, and Melbourne.

Greg Foran, CEO of Air New Zealand, acknowledged the significant growth in demand from India, stating, “We recognise India as a key market and want to facilitate this growth by making travel seamless for Indian passengers. The code-share with Air India is the first step towards strengthening this connection, and we are also exploring the feasibility of direct flights between India and New Zealand by 2028.”

Currently, most Indian travellers to New Zealand transit via Australia, Singapore, or the Middle East. The new code-share agreement will offer smoother connectivity, reducing transit times and making New Zealand more accessible to Indian tourists.

India: A Crutial Market for New Zealand Tourism
India’s growing outbound travel segment presents a significant opportunity for New Zealand. Recent surveys show that nearly 18.3 million Indian travellers from cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and New Delhi have expressed interest in visiting New Zealand, with 43% placing it as their top international travel choice.

The average stay for an Indian tourist in New Zealand is about 17 days, significantly longer than many other inbound visitor markets. Tourism New Zealand data also indicates that Indian visitors collectively spent $231 million in New Zealand in 2024, with an average spend of $4,621 per trip, rising to $6,031 for holidaymakers.

The country is particularly appealing to Indian travellers due to its pristine landscapes, adventure tourism offerings, and Bollywood’s influence, which has showcased New Zealand’s scenic beauty in various films. Additionally, New Zealand’s mild summer (when India experiences extreme heat) makes it a preferred destination for affluent Indian travellers.

Future Outlook
With these new strategic partnerships and enhanced air connectivity, New Zealand is well-positioned to attract a larger share of the Indian outbound travel market. The tourism board aims to double Indian arrivals over the next five years, banking on favourable visa policies, tailored travel packages, and strong marketing initiatives targeting Indian travellers.

As New Zealand continues to strengthen its engagement with India’s booming travel sector, these initiatives mark a significant milestone in making the country more accessible and attractive for Indian tourists. With customised itineraries, improved connectivity, and a growing interest from Indian travellers, New Zealand is poised to become a top international destination for Indian outbound tourism.