Guest Night Growth Continues

Friday, 11 May 2001, 4:56 pm
Press Release: Statistics New Zealand

Accommodation Survey: March 2001

Guests spent 2.7 million nights in short-term commercial accommodation during March 2001, according to Statistics New Zealand's Accommodation Survey. This figure is 11 per cent above March 2000 levels.

Over the last six months, growth in capacity has slowed, while guest nights have increased, resulting in increased occupancy rates. In the six months ended March 2001, guest nights were up 9 per cent on the six months ended March 2000. Over the same period, capacity levels were up 0.6 per cent, and the occupancy rate excluding caravan parks/camping grounds was 57 per cent, up from 54 per cent.

All accommodation types recorded guest night growth of 8 per cent or more in March 2001, when compared with March 2000. In March 2001, hotels recorded their highest monthly guest night total since the survey started in July 1996. The hotel occupancy rate was 66 per cent in March 2001, compared with 58 per cent in March 2000, as capacity did not change significantly over the same period.

South Island guest nights increased 14 per cent in March 2001, when compared with March 2000, while North Island guest nights were up 8 per cent. In March 2001, nine of the 12 regions recorded guest night growth of at least 9 per cent, when compared with March 2000. Wellington recorded its highest level of guest nights since the survey began in July 1996.

Ian Ewing DEPUTY GOVERNMENT STATISTICIAN END

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