10 February 2005
Accommodation Survey: December 2004
Annual Guest Nights Increase
Guest nights in short-term commercial accommodation for the 2004 calendar year were 5 percent higher than the previous
year, according to Statistics New Zealand. In 2004, guest nights in the North Island were up 4 percent and guest nights
in the South Island were up 6 percent.
Eleven of the 12 regions recorded more guest nights in 2004 than the previous year. Canterbury recorded the largest
increase in guest nights for the year.
The trend in total guest nights has been increasing since June 1998, with the trend in North Island guest nights
increasing since September 1998 and in South Island guest nights since August 1997. Total guest nights were 3.2 million
in December 2004, a 1 percent increase compared with December 2003. In December 2004, guest nights were up 2 percent in
the North Island compared with December 2003. South Island guest nights were at a similar level to December 2003.
Seven of the 12 regions recorded more guest nights in December 2004 than in December 2003. Canterbury recorded the
largest increase in guest nights, comparing the two December months.
Brian Pink
Government Statistician
ENDS