West Coasters win in tourism

The South Island's West Coast is the country's most stayed-at place, the latest tourism figures show.

Guest nights spent on the coast in April were up 26 per cent on the same time last year, leading growth of 11 per cent enjoyed by the South Island in the past year, according to the latest Statistics New Zealand accommodation survey.

The West Coast also recorded the highest regional growth in nights spent at motels and the second-highest for hotels. Guest nights for North Islanders visiting the South Island grew by 42 per centand nights for those travelling the other way grew 19 per cent.

While Wellington recorded the highest occupancy rate of all the regions at 65 per cent, the West Coast had the largest regional growth for the second month in a row, up 17 per cent compared with April last year.