International Guests Drive Accommodation Growth

Accommodation Survey: January 2000

International Guests Drive Accommodation Growth

Nights spent by guests in commercial accommodation were 4 per cent higher in January 2000 than in January 1999 according to Statistics New Zealand's Accommodation Survey. More international visitor arrivals in January 2000 compared to January 1999 contributed strongly to the rise.

Nights spent by international guests in January 2000 were up 7 per cent compared to January 1999, while nights spent by domestic guests were up 2 per cent. It was noticeable this January that guests from both islands spent more nights in accommodation in the island where they live and fewer nights in the island where they don't live compared to last January.

Regional results for January 2000 were mixed. In the South Island the only region to record a rise in guest nights was the West Coast, while in the North Island the only region to record a decrease in guest nights was Northland. Six of the 12 regions recorded their highest monthly total for guest nights since the survey began in July 1996. The Auckland region, which hosted the America's Cup had by far the largest rise in guest nights, up 21 per cent, in January 2000 compared to January 1999. Comparing the six months ended January 2000 with the same period 12 months earlier, guest nights were higher in all regions.

Guest nights at caravan parks/camping grounds were 1 per cent lower in January 2000 than in January 1999, while guest nights in the other accommodation types were up by at least 5 per cent. In January 2000, motels, backpackers/hostels and hosted accommodation each recorded their highest monthly total for guest nights since the survey began. Demand for accommodation for the six months ended January 2000 was 7 per cent higher than the same period 12 months earlier. All accommodation types had increases over this period, with backpackers/hostels and hotels having the strongest growth.

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

Ian Ewing DEPUTY GOVERNMENT STATISTICIAN

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