North Island Leads Guest Nights Increase

Embargoed until 10:45am – 11 October 2006

North Island Leads Guest Nights Increase

Guest nights in short-term commercial accommodation for the North Island were 4 percent higher in August 2006 than in August 2005, Statistics New Zealand said today. South Island guest nights were 1 percent higher when comparing the two August months.

Total guest nights were 3 percent higher in August 2006 compared with August 2005. The trend in total guest nights has levelled since October 2004, following a period of increases that began in July 1998.

Nine of 12 regions recorded more guest nights in August 2006 than in August 2005, with the Bay of Plenty, Auckland and Otago recording the largest increases.

Four of the five accommodation types recorded more guest nights in August 2006 than in August 2005, with motels and hotels recording the largest increases. Hosted accommodation was the only accommodation type to record fewer guest nights in August 2006 than in August 2005.

The August 2006 occupancy rate, excluding caravan parks/camping grounds, was 43 percent, compared with 42 percent in August 2005. Hotels recorded the highest occupancy rate in August 2006, followed by motels and backpackers/hostels.

Dallas Welch
Acting Government Statistician

ENDS

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