Traditionally, international toursits were drawn to New Zealand to experience the unpolluted air and water, the open spaces and unique plant and animal life. Attractions Many tourists visit scenic destinations such as Milford Sound, the glaciers on the West Coast of the South Island, the caves at Waitomo and the geysers and hot springs of the geothermal areas in the central North Island. New Zealand also offers a diverse range of cultural attractions including farm visits, marae visits, homestays, museums, art and craft galleries, wineries and historic buildings. Shopping is another important part of the tourism sector.
Popular merchandise includes antiques, designer clothing and crafts and souvenirs of New Zealand.
Events Sporting and cultural events have also put New Zealand in the international spotlight, such as wine, food arts and flower festivals, M ori cultural competitions, triathlons and rugby matches. Conferences and conventions also generate considerable business for many cities and towns. Hosting the APEC summit in 1999, the America's Cup and the various millennium celebrations offered unique opportunities to promote New Zealand as a tourist destination. Tourism New Zealand and its industry partners actively seek to ensure that the opportunities provided by these major events are maximised. A new Statistics New Zealand report released in 1999, 'Tourism Satellite Account 1995', establishes a new method for examining and measuring tourism's economic impact on the New Zealand economy and also presents experimental results for 1995.