Steady Trend in Guest Nights Continues

Steady Trend in Guest Nights Continues

The underlying trend in total guest nights in short-term commercial accommodation has been steady since August 2002, according to Statistics New Zealand. In November 2003, the trend level in total guest nights was 2 percent higher than the level in November 2002. Actual total guest nights were 2.5 million in November 2003, a 1 percent increase compared with November 2002 and an 11 percent increase compared with November 2001.

Nine of the 12 regions recorded more guest nights in November 2003 than in November 2002. The Hawke's Bay/Gisborne region (up 10,000 or 12 percent) and Otago (up 10,000 or 3 percent) recorded the largest absolute increases in guest nights between the two November months. The Auckland region (down 33,000 or 6 percent) recorded the largest absolute decrease in guest nights in November 2003 compared with November 2002. However, guest nights in the Auckland region in November 2003 were 14 percent higher than in November 2001.

Three of the five accommodation types recorded increases in guest nights in November 2003 compared with November 2002. Backpackers/hostels (up 17,000 or 6 percent) recorded the largest absolute increase in guest nights, while hotels (down 9,000 or 1 percent) recorded the largest absolute decrease in guest nights.

The occupancy rate, excluding caravan parks/camping grounds, in November 2003 was 60 percent, which was the same rate as that recorded in November 2002. Hotels had the highest occupancy rate of all the accommodation types in November 2003 with 68 percent, followed by motels with 60 percent and backpackers/hostels with 54 percent.

Brian Pink

Government Statistician

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