Guest Night Growth Continues in May

Guest Night Growth Continues in May

Guests spent 1.4 million nights in commercial accommodation in May 2000, up 83,000 over May 1999, according to Statistics New Zealand's Accommodation Survey.

May 2000 is the fourth consecutive month where guest nights have been at least 6 per cent above the level recorded for the same period in 1999. Continuing growth in the numbers of short-term international visitor arrivals has contributed to this result, and is likely to have been buoyed by the recent favourable exchange rates for visitors to New Zealand.

All South Island regions had higher guest night numbers this month compared to May 1999. Otago had the largest increase. Two North Island regions, Wellington and Bay of Plenty, recorded lower guest night numbers when compared with May 1999. May 2000 is the first month since the survey began in July 1996 that all South Island regions had a higher growth rate in guest nights than the North Island regions, when compared to the same month of the previous year.

All accommodation types recorded higher levels of guest nights in May 2000 compared with the same time last year. Backpackers/hostels reported the largest increase of 15 per cent. This accommodation type also recorded its largest monthly share of total guest nights since the survey began in July 1996.

The Accommodation Survey is funded by regional tourism organisations throughout New Zealand.

Ian Ewing
DEPUTY GOVERNMENT STATISTICIAN
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