Niue is on track to meet its target of 10,000 foreign visitors this year as the island's tourism industry continues to grow.
New Zealand's High Commissioner to Niue, Ross Ardern, says there has been a push by the governments of both New Zealand and Niue to increase tourism in order decrease reliance on remittances and aid money.
He says it appears to be paying off, with the country of 1,500 people on track to reach its goal of 10,000 visitors this year, a significant increase from 4,000 in 2009.
Ardern says this increase has brought a significant cash injection to Niue's economy.
“In 2014 we're getting close to NZ$6 million. All of that, of course, attracts a tax for Niue and across the market you have people that benefit from that; from the hotels and backpackers, rental cars, restaurants, service industries, they all prosper as a consequence of the extra spend from the tourists coming into Niue.”
Ardern says the Niue government is hoping more jobs will be established so the population can grow.