Guest nights continue to decrease

12 November 2008

Guest nights continue to decrease

Total guest nights in short-term commercial accommodation decreased 5 percent in September 2008 compared with September 2007, Statistics New Zealand said today. This is the fourth consecutive month to show a decrease when compared with the same month the previous year.

The trend in total guest nights has been decreasing since October 2007 but is still higher than the most recent low point in January 2006.

Guest nights decreased in all five accommodation types in September 2008 compared with September 2007. Motels had the largest decrease, down 77,000 (9 percent), followed by backpackers, down 28,000 (9 percent). Motel guest nights are dominated by domestic guests while the majority of backpackers guest nights are international.

In September 2008, 10 of the 12 regions had fewer guest nights, with Bay of Plenty and Otago showing the largest decreases. Geoff Bascand Government Statistician 12 November 2008

ENDS

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