South Island Leads Guest Nights Increase

Embargoed until 10:45am – 11 July 2006

South Island Leads Guest Nights Increase

Guest nights in short-term commercial accommodation for the South Island were 4 percent higher in May 2006 than in May 2005, Statistics New Zealand said today. North Island guest nights were at a similar level to May 2005.

Total guest nights were 2 percent higher when compared with May 2005. The trend in total guest nights has flattened since October 2004, following a period of increases that began in July 1998.

Seven out of 12 regions recorded more guest nights in May 2006 than in May 2005, with the Canterbury, Wellington and Otago regions recording the largest increases.

Four of the five accommodation types recorded more guest nights in May 2006 than in May 2005, with motels and caravan parks/camping grounds recording the largest increases. Hosted accommodation was the only accommodation type to record fewer guest nights in May 2006 than in May 2005.

The May 2006 occupancy rate, excluding caravan parks/camping grounds, was 41 percent, compared with 42 percent in May 2005. This occupancy rate will have been affected by an increase in capacity, excluding caravan parks/camping grounds, of 4 percent in May 2006 compared with May 2005.

Geoff Bascand
Acting Government Statistician

ENDS

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