November Guest Nights Drop
Guest nights in short-term commercial accommodation were 1 percent lower in November 2005 than in November 2004,
Statistics New Zealand said today. However, guest nights in November 2005 were 4 percent higher than in November 2003.
While the trend in total guest nights had been increasing since June 1998, it has flattened since September 2004.
In November 2005, guest nights were 1 percent lower in the North Island and 2 percent lower in the South Island,
compared with November 2004. Ten of the 12 regions recorded fewer guest nights, with Canterbury recording the largest
decrease. The Wellington and Otago regions were the only two regions to record more guest nights.
Three of the five accommodation types recorded fewer guest nights in November 2005 than in November 2004, with motels
and caravan parks/camping grounds recording the largest decreases, while hotels showed the largest increase.
The November 2005 occupancy rate, excluding caravan parks/camping grounds, was 55 percent, compared with 59 percent in
November 2004. This occupancy rate will have been affected by an increase in capacity, excluding caravan parks/camping
grounds, of 7 percent in November 2005 compared with November 2004.
Brian Pink
Government Statistician
END