Guest Nights Fall

Accommodation Survey: April 2001

Guests spent 2.3 million nights in short-term commercial accommodation during April 2001, according to Statistics New Zealand's Accommodation Survey. This figure is 2 per cent below April 2000 levels. The decrease is mainly a result of a 5 per cent fall in the number of guest nights spent by New Zealanders in short-term commercial accommodation, when compared with April 2000.

Last year, ANZAC Day fell on the Tuesday immediately following the Easter weekend, resulting in a five-day break. This may have contributed to the high level of guest nights recorded in April 2000. While the same number of statutory holidays occurred in April 2001, they were split, with ANZAC Day falling later in the month. This appears to have resulted in a lower level of domestic activity this year.

In contrast, the number of international guest nights has continued to increase. Guests from Australia and Asian countries other than Japan and Korea, recorded the largest changes in levels of guest nights in April 2001, when compared with April 2000. Over the same period, guests from Korea recorded the highest growth rate in guest nights, up 16 per cent.

It is not apparent what impact, if any, the loss of Qantas New Zealand services in the last week of April 2001 may have had on recorded guest nights.

Guests spent 8 per cent more nights in backpackers/hostels, and 3 per cent more nights in hotels in April 2001, than in April 2000. All other accommodation types recorded fewer guest nights when comparing the two April months.

South Island guest nights were down 1 per cent in April 2001, compared with April 2000, while North Island guest nights were down 2 per cent.

Ian Ewing DEPUTY GOVERNMENT STATISTICIAN

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