新西兰英语 76 Tourism in New Zealand

　　The slowing global economy has affected¹ tourism in New Zealand with tourist numbers falling this year. There were 11,100 fewer international visitors to New Zealand in September 2008 compared with September 2007. Visitor numbers are down across most international markets such as China, Australia, the United States, United Kingdom, Korea and Japan. The only market to increase was Canada and this is due to Air New Zealand introducing a direct flight from Canada to New Zealand this year.  The biggest loss was from China, which is New Zealand’s fourth largest market. The largest market to New Zealand is Australia and there were 2,200 fewer tourists from Australia in September 2008 compared with September 2007.
The decreasing number of tourists has affected most regions in New Zealand and some tourist operators are stressed. Some hotel owners are worried that they will have to heavily discount rates and they may not make any money. Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive George Hickton said the accommodation sector² was harder hit than any other area of the tourism industry. All types of accommodation have been affected, especially motels and backpackers, with many tourists deciding to stay with family or friends to save money. Many hotels will try to focus on domestic tourists rather than the international market and New Zealanders may decide it is cheaper to holiday in New Zealand rather than go overseas.  Tourist operators think things will become worse next year as at the moment, they still have some pre-paid bookings.
Tourism is very important for the New Zealand economy. The Government raises $1.3 billion in GST from tourism and there are around 108,000 full-time³ jobs provided directly through tourism and around 74,500 indirectly⁴. Tourism also contributes to other sectors⁵ such as transport, retail⁶, construction and insurance.
The news is not all bad though. Jennie Langley from the Hotel Council points out that the hotel industry has been through downturns before with tourist numbers to New Zealand also falling after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the Sars threat in 2003. Tourist operators would have to offer better service and good rates to compete and this was good for tourists looking for a bargain. With petrol prices falling recently, there may be more domestic tourism. Destination Queenstown Chief Executive David Kennedy said that 64% of Queenstown’s domestic tourists come from Otago, Southland and Canterbury so this may increase. Kathryn MacDonnell from Venture Southland also said that although international tourist numbers fell, those that were coming to New Zealand were actually spending more.
Contributed by Anita Jones

1 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

2 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

3 full-time   

adj.满工作日的或工作周的，全时间的

参考例句：

• A full-time job may be too much for her.全天工作她恐怕吃不消。
• I don't know how she copes with looking after her family and doing a full-time job.既要照顾家庭又要全天工作，我不知道她是如何对付的。

4 indirectly   

adv.间接地，不直接了当地

参考例句：

• I heard the news indirectly.这消息我是间接听来的。
• They were approached indirectly through an intermediary.通过一位中间人，他们进行了间接接触。

5 sectors   

n.部门( sector的名词复数 )；领域；防御地区；扇形

参考例句：

• Berlin was divided into four sectors after the war. 战后柏林分成了4 个区。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Industry and agriculture are the two important sectors of the national economy. 工业和农业是国民经济的两个重要部门。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

6 retail   

v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格

参考例句：

• In this shop they retail tobacco and sweets.这家铺子零售香烟和糖果。
• These shoes retail at 10 yuan a pair.这些鞋子零卖10元一双。