Upward Trend in Guest Nights Continues

The underlying trend in total guest nights in short-term commercial accommodation has been increasing since June 1998, according to Statistics New Zealand. In May 2004, the trend level in total guest nights was 5 percent higher than in May 2003.

Actual total guest nights were 1.8 million in May 2004, a 4 percent increase compared with May 2003. In May 2004, the trend level in North Island guest nights was 3 percent higher, and the trend level in South Island guest nights was 8 percent higher than in May 2003. In May 2004, actual total guest nights were up 1 percent in the North Island, and up 8 percent in the South Island, compared with May 2003. Six of the 12 regions recorded more guest nights in May 2004 than in May 2003. The Canterbury region (up 42,000 or 17 percent) recorded the largest absolute increase in guest nights between the two May months, followed by Auckland (up 26,000 or 7 percent) and Otago (up 15,000 or 8 percent).

Hotels were the accommodation type that recorded the largest absolute increase in guest nights when comparing May 2004 with May 2003 (up 73,000 or 12 percent), followed by backpackers/hostels (up 14,000 or 6 percent). The May 2004 occupancy rate, excluding caravan parks/camping grounds, was 44 percent, compared with 43 percent in May 2003. Hotels had the highest occupancy rate of all the accommodation types in May 2004 (50 percent), followed by motels (45 percent) and backpackers/hostels (38 percent).

Brian Pink

Government Statistician

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