However, the importance of the sector goes beyond direct economic contribution. The Visitor sector supports events, the arts, hospitality, retail and outdoor experiences, and contributes to the vitality and vibrancy of Nelson Tasman. It also provides a shop front for the region, supporting the attraction of talent and investment, and showcasing regional products to broader audiences.
Nelson Tasman’s visitor economy offers significant opportunities to strengthen its linkages to other sectors, to act as a conduit for the attraction and retention of talent and investment.
Statistics as at 2023.
Our visitor sector is investing heavily in building our region’s ‘green credentials’, as evidenced by the Mārahau Pledge in 2022. We are committed to the five-year Destination Management Plan for recovery and regeneration of the visitor sector.
New Zealand’s first Zero Carbon Itinerary was launched here in 2021, followed by the Light Footprint Holiday in 2022.
AbelTasman.com was created to celebrate and promote the Abel Tasman National Park, the Nelson Tasman region and also our businesses serving visitors to this incredible part of New Zealand.
As long-term residents of the region, the Wilson family is dedicated to environmental, cultural and business sustainability to ensure they preserve their legacy for future generations.
The Destination Partner Promotion Programme is a collaborative network of businesses which promotes Nelson Tasman businesses around the world. The aim is to create a strong community of businesses that provide space for collaboration and business opportunities, with a range of local forums and workshops.
The TECTs are an interim replacement to the Monthly Regional tourism Estimates (MRTEs) to understand tourism spend activity in New Zealand. Explore or download monthly data about visitor spending, by region or by Regional Tourism Organisation.
The ADP collects a small amount of data from accommodation providers each month and publishes reports that can be used to benchmark performance and monitor industry trends. Explore or download monthly data about visitor nights, by region or by Regional Tourism Organisation.
The Tourism Recovery Dashboard tracks the border reopening and its effect on the recovery of the tourism sector from the COVID-19 pandemic. View data to see how visitation is recovering post-Covid.
This Cycling Events Strategy has been developed in consultation to inform future, strategic decision-making about cycling events within Te Tauihu. Our aspiration is to enable and enhance the long-term sustainability of cycling events in Te Tauihu and to maximise the benefits of these events to the region.
With starring roles in a new tourism campaign, Nelson Tasman’s locals show why the region is such a friendly place to visit.
Nelson Airport has joined forces with Sounds Air and the Nelson Regional Development Agency (NRDA) to promote Nelson-Tasman and boost visitor numbers coming into Spring.
Travellers who visited Nelson Tasman on their most recent domestic trip reported the highest satisfaction levels in the country, according to Angus & Associates’ latest Domestic Visitor Satisfaction Survey (for the year ending March 2025). With an impressive overall satisfaction score of 8.9 out of 10, Nelson Tasman surpassed other popular destinations around the country.
Maruia River Retreat has been selected as one of Newsweek's World's Most Extraordinary Spas for 2026. One of only 5 New Zealand destinations.
Those behind Tasman's Great Taste Trail want people to know the cycle trail and the businesses surrounding it are ready for visitors, despite parts of the trail being damaged in mid-winter floods.
Forty little spotted kiwi/kiwi pukupuku are being introduced to the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary this May, thanks to the combined efforts of iwi, local businesses, Save the Kiwi, supported by the Department of Conservation.
Nelson City Council (NCC) and the Nelson Regional Development Agency (NRDA), with funding support from the Selwyn Foundation, have partnered to pilot a new Nelson Visitor Information Ambassador Programme, engaging retired residents to provide information and manaakitanga to visitors in Nelson, enhancing their experience of the region.
A new sculpture seven years in the making is proving the perfect welcome to Mārahau.
As the beautiful Kiwi summer arrives, New Zealanders’ travel plans are taking off, with Air New Zealand experiencing strong demand for flights to Nelson.
The Nelson Regional Development Agency (NRDA) has launched free ambassador training workshops for visitor-facing workers in the Nelson Tasman region.
Tāhunanui Beach businesses have collaborated to market Tāhunanui Beach in Nelson as a ‘must-go’ destination.
A new initiative, the Better Bus has been launched by a collective of Abel Tasman Operators, led by Wine, Art and Wilderness, with the support of the Nelson Regional Development Agency (NRDA).
The NRDA have just launched New Zealand’s, and quite possibly the world’s, first zero carbon itinerary available for travellers to choose when visiting the region.
