New Zealand hotels recorded a solid year in 2019, with the same national occupancy level as 2018, Tourism Industry
Aotearoa says.
New statistics from TIA’s 190 member hotels show the average national occupancy level was 79%[1], the same rate as in 2018. The only region to record a small growth (+2%, to 69%) was Central Park, which covers Taupō,
Hawke’s Bay-Te Matau-a-Māui and Gisborne-Tairāwhiti.
Auckland-Tamaki-Makaurau hotels reported a small drop of 1% to 82%, the lowest occupancy in the city for the last five
years. This was partly due to a drop in air crew room nights reflecting a small reduction in air capacity out of
Auckland Airport.
“These figures confirm that the recent spectacular growth of our visitor economy has come to an end,” TIA Chief
Executive Chris Roberts says.
“Along with flat occupancy, the average hotel rate was slightly down at the national level[2]. No growth in hotel income will eventually impact on employment and reinvestment. The challenge will be compounded by
new hotels that are due to open around the country, with more than 1200 new rooms expected to become available in
Auckland alone by the end of 2020.”
Across New Zealand, three-star hotels were the only star band to record occupancy growth in 2019.
52% of hotel guests were New Zealanders. Among our major visitor markets, New Zealand, USA and UK all increased their
share of nights in hotels compared to 2018. China was static while Australia and Japan decreased their share of room
nights for the year.
With no new major events scheduled in New Zealand this year, hoteliers are not expecting to see any significant
improvement in their bottom line, Mr Roberts says. In 2021, New Zealand will host the America’s Cup and APEC but the
impact of these events will be felt less in regional New Zealand.
With the end of the government’s Commercial Accommodation Monitor last year, TIA’s monthly hotel statistics are now the
best measure available of what is happening in our valuable hotel sector. TIA is looking forward to an announcement
shortly from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment about what is planned to replace the CAM, Mr Roberts
says.
Year ending 31 December 2019 statistics for each TIA Hotel region
Region2019 occupancy2018 occupancyNo. of roomsAuckland 82%83%9126Central Park 69%67%712Christchurch76%77%2848Dunedin68%70%588Nelson/Marlborough74%74%514Queenstown82%82%3316Rotorua79%79%1686Wellington79%79%3353
TIA Hotel Sector
TIA’s hotel sector represents the interests of over 190 members throughout New Zealand, including international chains,
large independent and privately owned hotels. TIA hotel sector members have more than 22,000 rooms, employ over 12,000
staff nationally, and earn annual revenues of more than $1.67 billion. TIA’s hotel members contribute to a monthly
performance survey conducted by the Fresh Information Company.
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[1] On average, 79% of all available hotel rooms were occupied each night in 2019.
[2] Aggregated room rate information is provided to participants in the TIA survey.