Increasing numbers of overseas visitors have been touching down at Christchurch Airport, despite a drop in the total international arrivals in New Zealand.
International arrivals fell 5.8 percent nationally in the past year, but at Christchurch International the number of arrivals rose 8.5 percent.
The increase included a large number of Chinese travellers.
Christchurch Airport's chief commercial officer, Justin Watson, said the positive result was fantastic to see.
He said it was the outcome of a well planned and targeted strategy supported by the regional authorities and tourism businesses of the South Island.