Guest nights down in February

Total guest nights in short-term commercial accommodation in February 2009 were 8 percent lower than in February 2008, Statistics New Zealand said today. The 2008 calendar year was a leap year, with the extra day in February 2008 falling on a Friday.

All 12 regions had fewer guest nights, with Otago, Auckland, and Bay of Plenty showing the largest decreases. Eleven regions had fewer international guest nights, and nine regions had fewer domestic guest nights.

Guest nights decreased in all five accommodation types in February 2009 compared with February 2008. Motels and hotels had the largest decreases.

International guest nights were down 13 percent and domestic guest nights were down 2 percent.

The February 2009 occupancy rate of 62 percent, excluding caravan parks/camping grounds, was the lowest for a February month since February 1999.