Fewer New Zealanders in motels and hotels in May

Fewer New Zealanders in motels and hotels in May

12 July 2016

For May 2016 compared with May last year, domestic guest nights were down 6.4 percent, with motels and hotels accounting for most of the fall. In contrast, international guest nights were up 9.7 percent, with gains for stays at both hotels and motels. Overall, total national guest nights for May 2016 were down just 0.4 percent on May 2015.

"International guest nights continued to rise strongly, but were offset in May by a fallback in domestic guest nights," business indicators senior manager Neil Kelly said. "May 2015 was a record May month for domestic and total guest nights."

For May 2016, compared with May 2015:
• North Island guest nights were down 1.2 percent, while South Island guest nights were up 1.0 percent.
• Seven of the 12 regional areas had fewer guest nights.
• Two of the four accommodation types, particularly motels, had fewer guest nights.

For the year ended May 2016, national guest nights were up 5.3 percent from the May 2015 year.

The trend for national guest nights continued to rise in May 2016. Seasonally adjusted guest nights fell 1.5 percent, after fluctuations in March and April.

The Accommodation Survey collects data for guests staying in hotels, motels, backpacker accommodation, and holiday parks in New Zealand each month. Private accommodation is excluded.

See Accommodation Survey: May 2016 for more information on monthly accommodation statistics.

See International Travel and Migration: May 2016 for visitor numbers.

For more information about these statistics:

• Visit Accommodation Survey: May 2016
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