Annual guest nights remain steady

Total guest nights in short-term commercial accommodation in the 2008 year were similar to those recorded in 2007, Statistics New Zealand said today. Guest nights in both the North and South Islands were also similar to levels recorded in 2007.

Seven of the 12 regions had fewer guest nights in 2008 than in 2007, with Otago, Bay of Plenty and Waikato showing the largest decreases. The Wellington, Canterbury and Auckland regions showed the largest increases. Three of the five accommodation types had more guest nights in 2008 than in 2007, with hotels showing the largest increase, and motels the largest decrease.

For the December 2008 month, total guest nights were 3 percent lower than in December 2007. This fall was due to a 5 percent decrease in international guest nights and a 1 percent decrease in domestic guest nights.

In December 2008, guest nights were 2 percent lower in the North Island and 4 percent lower in the South Island, compared with December 2007. Nine of the 12 regions had fewer guest nights, with Bay of Plenty and Canterbury showing the largest decreases and Waikato the largest increase.

Guest nights decreased in all five accommodation types in December 2008 compared with December 2007. Motels had the largest decrease and contributed more than two-thirds of the decrease in total guest nights.