Total international departures climbed over January due to the end of the festive season thus visitors returning to their respective countries of residence. This recorded an increase of 5,301 passengers (52.0%) leaving the Kingdom over the month and majority of the total international departures were cruise ship departures (3,349 passengers) followed by those travelling by air (1,983 passengers). This coincides with the arrival of three cruise ships during the month. Majority of the passengers departing Tonga were visitors and returned to New Zealand, Australia and the United States of America. This is inline with the high number of visitors last month who arrived in the Kingdom and from the same aforementioned countries. The high level of departures could be explained by the concluding of the festive season which included family reunions and conferences.

Meanwhile, the total international arrivals declined by 561 passengers (4.3%). The fall was led mainly by a decrease in air arrivals followed by yacht arrivals. Ship arrivals, however, rose over January due to the arrival of three cruise ships. Total international arrivals declined reflecting the rate of departures from the Kingdom. This mainly noted a fall in arrival of visitors as well as yacht visitors which had offset a rise in the arrival of Tongan residents who returned home following the holiday season. Additionally, the decline in air arrivals had also offset the rise in cruise ship arrivals during January.

Travel receipts, however, increased by $0.2 million (1.9%) to a total of $10.3 million over January. Despite this movement not coinciding with the total number of international arrivals throughout the month, the arrival of three cruise ships and further a total of 4,855 visitors being in the country during January may have likely contributed to the higher travel receipts.

Over the year, the total number of international departures rose by 2,033 passengers (1.6%). This is the normal annual trend for the past three years. More specifically, international air departures remained the main mode of transport significantly driving the overall rise in total number of international air departures over the year. Total international arrivals rose by 1,840 passengers (1.5%) over the year mainly due to an increase in air arrivals whilst ship arrivals declined. The higher number of arrivals coincided with an increase of $14.4 million (14.5%) in travel receipts. This was likely to have also supported the transportation, trade and other sectors of the economy.

Outlook

The activities in the tourism sector are anticipated to remain vibrant in 2017/2018. The Reserve Bank will continue to closely monitor the developments in the international arrivals and its impact on the tourism and other sectors.

International Arrivals & Departures Report Releases

• International Arrivals & Departures Releases for 2018
• 2017
• 2016
• 2015

International Arrivals & Departures Releases for 2018

	January Released on 26 June 2018 | 190 KB

2017

	December Released on 29 March 2018 | 186 KB		November Released on 29 March 2018 | 186 KB
	October Released on 11 January 2018 | 161 KB		September Released on 5 December 2017 | 185 KB
	August Released on 5 December 2017 | 179 KB		July Released on 5 December 2017 | 178 KB
	June Released on 5 September 2017 | 185 KB		May Released on 5 September 2017 | 185 KB
	April Released on 15 August 2017 | 187 KB		March Released on 15 August 2017 | 184 KB
	February Released on 23 June 2017 | 182 KB		January Released on 29 July 2016 | 150 KB

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2016

	December Released on 9 June 2017 | 182 KB		November Released on 9 June 2017 | 164 KB
	October Released on 8 May 2017 | 356 KB		September Released on 8 February 2017 | 167 KB
	August Released on 8 February 2017 | 169 KB		July Released on 31 October 2016 | 360 KB
	June Released on 6 September 2016 | 422 KB		May Released on 29 July 2016 | 428 KB
	April Released on 13 July 2016 | 434 KB		March Released on 3 June 2016 | 430 KB
	February Released on 4 May 2016 | 436 KB		January Released on 29 July 2016 | 401 KB

2015

	December Released on 25 February 2016 | 391 KB		June Released on 16 September 2015 | 362 KB