Guest accommodation sector softens in November

The guest accommodation sector was slightly weaker in November than the same time the previous year, according to data out from Statistics New Zealand today.

Total short term guest nights were 1 per cent lower in November than the same time the previous year, at 2.6 million.

Guest nights were 1 per cent lower in the North Island, at 1.5 million, and 2 per cent lower in the South Island, at 1.1 million, than in November 2004.

Ten of the 12 regions recorded fewer guest nights compared to the previous November.

Canterbury reported the largest absolute decrease, down 30,000 or 6 per cent.

The only regions to report an increase in total guest nights were Wellington, up 13,000 or 7 per cent; and Otago, up 13,000 or 4 per cent.

Three of the five types of accommodation reported fewer guest nights in November 2005. The largest absolute fall was in motels, down 34,000 or 4 per cent; followed by caravan parks/camping grounds, down 23,000 or 5 per cent.

Hotels had the largest absolute rise, up 26,000 or 3 per cent.

More people (36 per cent) chose to stay in hotels than anyway else, with motels the next most popular choice of accommodation (33 per cent), and camping grounds (16 per cent).

The occupancy rate for the month, excluding caravan parks/camping grounds, was 55 per cent, compared to 59 per cent in November 2004.

Accommodation capacity was 7 per cent higher in November 2005 than November 2004.

The fall in guest nights and occupancy rates coincided with a 3 per cent decrease in overseas visitor arrivals in November compared with the year-earlier.

- NZPA