Guest nights up 2 per cent on year ago

Guest nights in short-term commercial accommodation rose 2 per cent in May on the same month a year earlier, according to Statistics New Zealand today.

The department said the rise was driven by a 4 per cent rise in guest nights in the South Island. North Island guest nights were at a similar level compared with a year ago.

Of the five accommodation types, hosted accommodation was the only one to record a fall in guest numbers.

Seven of 12 regions recorded a rise in guest nights, with Canterbury, Wellington and Otago recording the largest increases.

- REUTERS