Guest Nights Trend Remains Flat

Guest Nights Trend Remains Flat

The underlying trend in total guest nights for short-term commercial accommodation has been flat since September 2002, according to Statistics New Zealand.

Total guest nights were 1.9 million in August 2003, a similar level to August 2002 and a 4 percent increase compared with August 2001. Guest nights in the North Island were up 2 percent, while guest nights in the South Island were down 2 percent in August 2003 compared with August 2002.

Nine of the 12 regions recorded more guest nights in August 2003 than in August 2002. The Hawke's Bay/Gisborne region (up 6,000 or 9 percent) recorded the largest absolute increase in guest nights between the two August months, followed by Nelson/Marlborough/Tasman (up 5,000 or 7 percent) and Wellington (up 5,000 or 4 percent). The three regions that recorded fewer guest nights in August 2003, compared with August 2002, were Otago (down 16,000 or 5 percent), Canterbury (down 9,000 or 3 percent) and Auckland (down 3,000 or 1 percent). These three regions combined contributed 51 percent of the total guest nights figure for August 2003.

Motels (up 24,000 or 3 percent) and backpackers/hostels (up 3,000 or 1 percent) were the only two of the five accommodation types to record an increase in guest nights in August 2003 when compared with August 2002. Hotels recorded the largest absolute decrease in guest nights, down 18,000 or 3 percent.

Brian Pink

Government Statistician

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