Accommodation stats improve in September

Photo / Wairarapa Times Age.

Latest visitor accommodation figures support indications that the hard-hit tourism industry received some relief in September.

Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) figures published today show 2.2 million guest nights in short-term commercial accommodation in September, a 3 per cent rise from a year earlier, although 2 per cent down on September 2007.

Guest nights were up, compared to a year ago, in 11 of the 12 regions in the survey.

The biggest rise was in Otago, with a gain of 19,000 or 6 per cent, followed by Canterbury with a lift of 11,000 or 3 per cent, and a rise of 10,000 or 5 per cent in Bay of Plenty.

International visitors accounted for 800,000 of the September guest nights, up 58,000 or 8 per cent from a year earlier. The 1.4m domestic guest nights was up 6000, or less than 1 per cent.

Among the four guest accommodation types monitored, hotels had a rise of 30,000 or 4 per cent in September from a year earlier, while backpackers were up 16,000 or 6 per cent, motels were up 16,000 or 2 per cent, and holiday parks rose 2000 or 1 per cent.

The occupancy rate, excluding holiday parks, was 43 per cent, compared to 44 per cent in September 2008.

The data showing improved accommodation results for September followed a year-on-year rise in September of short-term overseas visitor arrivals to New Zealand of 14,700 or 9 per cent.

- NZPA