Guest Night Growth Continues In August

Accommodation Survey: August 2000

Guests spent 9 per cent more nights in commercial accommodation in August 2000 than August 1999, according to Statistics New Zealand's Accommodation Survey. Continuing strong growth in the numbers of short-term international visitor arrivals has contributed to this result.

The West Coast, Wellington, Southland, and Nelson-Marlborough-Tasman regions all had more than 16 per cent increases in guest nights in August 2000 compared to August 1999. In the South Island guest nights were up 11 per cent, while in the North Island guest nights were up 8 per cent. August 2000 was the sixth month in a row that guest nights in the South Island rose at a faster rate than guest nights in the North Island. This was possibly because nights spent by international visitors normally make up a higher proportion of total guest nights in the South Island.

In August 2000, backpackers/hostels had a 17 per cent rise in guest nights compared to August 1999, the largest rise of all accommodation types. Except for caravan parks/camping grounds, all accommodation types recorded higher guest nights in August 2000.

Excluding seasonal closures, total accommodation capacity has been showing fairly steady growth since the survey began in July 1996. Since that time, backpackers/hostels have had the largest growth in capacity and guest nights.

Ian Ewing
Deputy Government Statistician

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