Queenstown hits record number of internationals

Tuesday, 12 October 2010, 5:41 pm
Press Release: Destination Queenstown

Queenstown hits record number of international guest nights

Queenstown has recorded its biggest number of international guest nights ever (182,135) for the month of August - the highest in the country - according to research released today (12 October).

Statistics New Zealand’s August Commercial Accommodation Monitor (CAM) shows Queenstown’s total visitor nights were up 8.8 percent overall to 251,066, with international visitor nights up 11.4 percent to 182,135 and domestic visitor nights up 2.5 percent to 68,931 compared to the same time last year.

Graham Budd, Destination Queenstown’s General Manager Marketing, is upbeat about the results.

“This is the biggest number of international guest nights we’ve ever recorded in the August CAM* so the accommodation sector is tracking very well for an excellent 2010 winter season,” he says.

“Key accommodation sectors have experienced another month of strong guest night growth which continues the recent trend of year-on-year growth.

“Occupancy rates for hotels, motels and apartments also showed very pleasing growth compared to 2009. Backpacker accommodation also achieved good results considering that occupancy capacity in this market has increased by 13 percent since last year.”

Backpacker occupancy was down 2.2 percent with a guest night increase of 10.1 percent.

John McIlwain, the head of Queenstown’s Hotel Association, says overall it’s another fantastic result for the region.

“As predicted, the expected robust winter came to fruition, supported by some strong Conference and Incentive business. We’re also experiencing a change in the way people book their holidays – there seems to be a growing trend of direct bookings compared to last year.”

ENDS

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