Small rise in guest nights for August

The tourism sector remained strong in August, with short-term accommodation occupancy rates up slightly compared to last year, Statistics New Zealand said today.

Total guest nights in short term accommodation in August rose 0.4 per cent from the year earlier, to 1.9 million.

Six of the 12 regions reports more guest nights than the previous August.

The biggest increases were in Tatanaki/Manawatu-Wanganui, up 12,000 or 9 per cent; and Wellington up 12,000 or 8 per cent; followed by Otago, up 11,000 or 3 per cent.

The biggest fall in guest nights was in the Canterbury region, down 12,000 or 4 per cent; followed by Bay of Plenty, down 10,000 or 5 per cent and Auckland, down 10,000 or 3 per cent.

Backpacker or hostel accommodation reported the biggest increase, rising 8000 or 3 per cent; while hotels showed the largest decrease, falling 5000 or 3 per cent.

Hotels and motels took up a market share of 37 per cent each, while backpackers/hostels accounted for 14 per cent of total guest nights.

The overall occupancy rate in August, excluding caravan parks and camping grounds, was 42 per cent, down from 45 per cent in August 2004.

But accommodation capacity this August was 8 per cent higher than the previous year.

- NZPA