Easter timing affects March guest nights

Total guest nights in short-term commercial accommodation in March 2009 were 11 percent lower than
in March 2008, Statistics New Zealand said today. The timing of the Easter holidays, which occurred in
March in 2008, and this year in April, contributed to this decrease. Guest nights for March 2009 were 5
percent lower than in March 2007, the previous non-Easter March month.

In March 2009 compared with March 2008, international guest nights were down 11 percent and domestic
guest nights were down 10 percent.

All 12 regions had fewer guest nights, with Canterbury, Otago, and Bay of Plenty showing the largest
decreases in March 2009 compared with March 2008.

Guest nights decreased in all five accommodation types in March 2009 compared with March
2008. Caravan parks/camping grounds and motels had the largest decreases.

In the March 2009 year, total guest nights were 4 percent lower than in the March 2008 year, with 11 of the
12 regions and three of the five accommodation types having fewer guest nights over the same period.

Geoff Bascand
Government Statistician
12 May 2009
END

See also the Hot Off The Press information release Accommodation Survey: March 2009.