Short-term visitor numbers dropped for the second month in a row in November signalling a slow start to the tourism season.

Compared to November 2006, visitor arrivals for last month were down 1100 visitors or 0.5 per cent following behind October's month-on-month drop of 3.6 per cent or 6692 visitors.

Despite the past two months seeing a drop-off in visitors, the year ending November 2007 remained positive with an increase of 2 per cent, or 57,900 visitors, on the previous year to November 2006.

The biggest fall in November came from British visitors which were down by 2700 people or 9 per cent, followed by Korea down 1800 (17 per cent) and Japan, which fell by 1600 people (9 per cent).

But the drop-off from Asian and European visitors was partly off-set by Australians whose numbers were up by 5700, or 8 per cent, on November last year.

Tourism New Zealand chief executive George Hickton said issues affecting the lack of growth included the worldwide credit crunch, fewer airline seats and strong competition from other destinations.