Hotels, holiday parks lead accommodation increase

Photo / Wairarapa Times Age

New Zealand and overseas visitors spent nine per cent more nights in hotels during June than they did in the same period last year.

Statistics New Zealand figures show total guest nights were up seven per cent to 1.7 million from June 2009 and that hotel guest nights accounted for about half the overall increase.

Holiday parks posted the largest per centage increase of 13 per cent, from last month, but the increase accounted for less guest nights (up 23,000) than hotels (up 58,000) overall.

Motels nights were up five per cent (28,000) and backpackers were up one per cent (3000).

The increases follow a six per cent fall in total guest nights during May.

Statistics New Zealand said the trend had been increasing since December 2008, but had decreased in recent months.

The recent volatility should be treated with caution until more data was available, SNZ said.

Both domestic and international guest nights were up in June 2010 compared with June 2009.

Domestic guest nights were up nine per cent compared with June 2009, and six per cent compared with June 2008.

International guest nights were four per cent higher than in June 2009 but were still down four per cent compared with June 2008.

Meanwhile guest nights in both the North and South Islands were up in June 2010 compared with June 2009, following decreased numbers in June 2009 and June 2008.

The Bay of Plenty, Otago, and Auckland regions had the highest increases in guest nights in June, compared with the previous June.

The West Coast and Nelson/Marlborough/Tasman were the only regions to record decreases in guest nights.

Statistics New Zealand's accommodation survey records guests staying in hotels, motels, backpackers, and holiday parks in New Zealand each month.

- NZ HERALD