Camping grounds lead increase in guest nights

Embargoed until 10:45am – 12 May 2008

Camping grounds lead increase in guest nights

Total guest nights in short-term commercial accommodation increased 7 percent in March 2008 compared with March 2007, Statistics New Zealand said today. Guest nights for all five accommodation types were up, led by a 24 percent increase for caravan parks/camping grounds. The earlier occurrence of the Easter holidays in March, rather than April, may have contributed to this increase, although the exact effect is difficult to measure.

In March 2008, guest nights were up 4 percent in the North Island and up 10 percent in the South Island.

Eleven of the 12 regions recorded higher guest nights. Canterbury had the largest increase, followed by the Wellington, Nelson/Marlborough/Tasman and Otago regions.

Domestic guest nights were slightly higher than international guest nights in March 2008. The Canterbury region had the highest number of domestic guest nights while the Auckland region had the highest number of international guest nights.

Geoff Bascand

Government Statistician

12 May 2008

ENDS

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