Backpacker Guest Nights Up 12 Percent

Backpacker Guest Nights Up 12 Percent

Guests spent 12 percent more guest nights in the backpackers/hostels accommodation type in July 2002 when compared with July 2001, according to Statistics New Zealand.

This is the sixth consecutive month that backpacker/hostel guest nights have increased by at least 10 percent when compared with the corresponding months in the previous year.

Guests spent a total of 1.9 million nights in short-term commercial accommodation during July 2002. This figure is 7 percent above the July 2001 level, with both international (up 9 percent) and domestic (up 5 percent) guests contributing to this increase.

All regions except the Nelson/Marlborough/Tasman region recorded more guest nights in July 2002 than in July 2001. Guest nights in the Nelson/Marlborough/Tasman region were down 6 percent over this period.

Excluding caravan parks/camping grounds, the occupancy rate for short-term commercial accommodation in July 2002 was 46 percent, up from 44 percent in July 2001.

Brian Pink Government Statistician

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