The latest Monthly Regional Tourism Estimates released by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment show that tourism spend for Bay of Plenty is estimated to be $1.8 billion for the year to November 2017.

The number is up five per cent compared with the year to November 2016.

MBIE Manager of Sector Trends Mark Gordon says that of this tourism spend in the year to November 2017, international visitors spent $568 million (up six per cent compared with the year to November 2016), and domestic tourists spent $1.2 billion (up five per cent) in that period.

"When it comes to the monthly expenditure, tourism spend in Bay of Plenty for the month of November 2017 is up 10 per cent compared with the month of November 2016," says Mark.

Tourism spending was up in most regions for the year ending November 2017, with international spending growth stronger than domestic spending growth.

The regions with the fastest growing tourism spend over the year ending November 2017 were Tasman with 16 per cent growth (up to $308 million), and West Coast and Taranaki both with 11 per cent growth (up to $513 million and $370 million respectively).

International visitor spending was driving the growth in Tasman with UK spend up 25 per cent and German spend up 24 per cent.