Embargoed until 10:45am – 11 July 2006
South Island Leads Guest Nights Increase
Guest nights in short-term commercial accommodation for the South Island were 4 percent higher in May 2006 than in May
2005, Statistics New Zealand said today. North Island guest nights were at a similar level to May 2005.
Total guest nights were 2 percent higher when compared with May 2005. The trend in total guest nights has flattened
since October 2004, following a period of increases that began in July 1998.
Seven out of 12 regions recorded more guest nights in May 2006 than in May 2005, with the Canterbury, Wellington and
Otago regions recording the largest increases.
Four of the five accommodation types recorded more guest nights in May 2006 than in May 2005, with motels and caravan
parks/camping grounds recording the largest increases. Hosted accommodation was the only accommodation type to record
fewer guest nights in May 2006 than in May 2005.
The May 2006 occupancy rate, excluding caravan parks/camping grounds, was 41 percent, compared with 42 percent in May
2005. This occupancy rate will have been affected by an increase in capacity, excluding caravan parks/camping grounds,
of 4 percent in May 2006 compared with May 2005.
Geoff Bascand
Acting Government Statistician
ENDS