New Zealand's dolphins earned some NZ$24 million (£8.7 million) for the country last year, figures have indicated.
According to the New Zealand arm of conservation group the World Wildlife Fund, approximately 103,000 people reported taking part in activities such as watching or swimming with the marine mammals.
Chris Howe, executive director, stated that the role such animals play in tourism provides further evidence for why their future should be secured through conservation.
"Obviously, Hector's dolphins are in fact priceless. They are amazing creatures and live only in New Zealand. But their economic value is another reason to protect them," he said.
Hector's dolphins were named a threatened species by New Zealand's department of conservation in 1999.
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