Guest nights in July up

Guest nights in short-term commercial accommodation in July 2009 were up 3 percent compared to July 2008, Statistics New Zealand said today. This is only the second month this year that guest nights have increased when compared with the same month last year.

Domestic guest nights were up 4 percent and international guest nights were up 2 percent in July 2009 compared with July 2008.

Guest nights were up in both the North Island (3 percent) and South Island (4 percent) in July 2009 compared with July 2008. Eight of the 12 regions experienced an increase in guest nights, with Otago, Auckland, and Taranaki/Manawatu-Wanganui recording the largest increases. Otago and Taranaki/Manawatu-Wanganui were boosted by increased numbers in Queenstown and Ruapehu, respectively.

Four of the five accommodation types recorded more guest nights, with hotels recording the largest increase, up 8 percent on July 2008.