Hotels drive April increase in guest nights

Overnight stays in hotels were up 7 percent in April 2010 compared with the previous April, Statistics New Zealand said today. 

"The increase in hotel guest nights drove a 1 percent increase in total guest nights for April 2010," business statistics manager Kathy Connolly said. "The three other accommodation types, backpackers, holiday parks, and motels, all recorded decreases."

Guest nights in the South Island increased 4 percent in April 2010 compared with April 2009 while guest nights in the North Island were down 1 percent.

The Otago and Auckland regions had the largest increases in guest nights in April 2010 compared with the previous April. The increase in Otago's guest nights was mostly due to more international guest nights while Auckland's increase was driven by more domestic guest nights. 

Canterbury and Southland were the only other regions with higher guest nights in April 2010 compared with April 2009. The Waikato and Wellington regions had the largest decreases.

International guest nights were up 2 percent and domestic guest nights were similar to April 2009.

The Accommodation Survey records guests staying in hotels, motels, backpackers, and holiday parks in New Zealand each month.

Cathryn Ashley-Jones 11 June 2010

Acting Government Statistician