Tourists stay longer

International visitors spent 5 per cent more nights in commercial accommodation in October than a year earlier, even as domestic guest nights fell 2 per cent.

The 2.5 million guest nights in October were up 0.5 per cent from a year earlier, and 5 per cent up on 2007, Statistics New Zealand said.

Hotels and backpacker stays were up while motels and holiday parks fell.

- NZPA