Whanganui Doubles NZ Tourism Guest Night Growth

Commercial accommodation statistics were released by the Department of Statistics last week and for the year ending June 2015 Whanganui has doubled the total NZ growth for guest nights.

Total NZ guest nights increased by 5.3% for the year ending June 2015 and the Whanganui district recorded a growth rate of 10.3% for the same time period. Not only did Whanganui achieve this result for total guest nights but also when breaking the information down into international and domestic visitors. The growth rate in international guest nights for New Zealand as a whole was 7.4% for the year ending June 2015 and again Whanganui doubled this rate achieving a 16% increase over the previous year. Domestic guest nights showed the same story – 4% for the NZ total and 9% for Whanganui.

Other measures were equally as positive for the district with the length of stay increasing in Whanganui for the period from 1.71 to 1.78 guest nights. Total occupancy rates increased in Whanganui by 12.1% compared to the previous year with motel occupancy showing a lift of 16.2%.

Whanganui’s visitors staying in commercial accommodation are mainly other New Zealanders (81%) and international visitors make up the remainder.

“I’m so pleased to see these results support the anecdotal evidence we’ve been receiving. I also think it’s a fantastic result for the year given tourism and destination marketing is a long term strategy taking time to attract new visitors. There is a good energy here in Whanganui and a multitude of offerings – people looking for somewhere new or different to visit in New Zealand will be surprised by all we have to offer,” said Lyn Cheyne, Visit Whanganui’s Promotion and Marketing Manager.

The June year end results complete 15 months of a trend showing increasing number of visitors to Whanganui both by the Commercial Accommodation Monitor and the local i-SITE figures.

The Visit Whanganui Board and the Whanganui and Partners team continues to work with the local tourism industry and other partners to improve the visitor experience and create ever more reasons to come to Whanganui and share our amazing place, attractions and stories.

ENDS

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