Accommodation Growth Continues

Accommodation Survey: April 2000

Accommodation Growth Continues

Guest nights spent in commercial accommodation were 12 per cent higher in
April 2000 than in April 1999, according to Statistics New Zealand's
Accommodation Survey. A similar growth in short-term international visitor
numbers over the same period contributed to the rise. ANZAC Day fell on
the Tuesday immediately after Easter this year, coinciding with the last
day of the school holidays. This is likely to have contributed to the
strong increase in domestic guest night numbers.

Nights spent by international guests in April 2000 were up 16 per cent
compared to April 1999, while nights spent by domestic guests were up 10
per cent. Almost 56,000 more North Islanders stayed in the South Island
during April 2000 than in April 1999. Events such as the Warbirds Over
Wanaka Air Show are likely to have contributed to this.

All South Island regions recorded a rise in guest nights and occupancy
rates in April, led by the West Coast. Guest night figures for the North
Island were more variable, with two regions recording lower guest nights in
April 2000 compared with the previous April. Northland and Auckland were
the only North Island regions to record higher occupancy rates in April
2000.
Guest nights in all accommodation types were up by at least 9 per cent this
month. Backpackers/hostels and hosted accommodation fared the best, both
recording 16 per cent higher guest night numbers.
The Accommodation Survey is funded by regional tourism organisations
throughout New Zealand.

Ian Ewing DEPUTY GOVERNMENT STATISTICIAN END

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