Australian visitors boost international guest nights

Guest nights spent by international visitors in short-term commercial accommodation were 13 percenthigher in July 2007 than in July 2006, Statistics New Zealand said today.

An increase in the number ofguest nights for Australian visitors was the leading contributor to the overall increase.

The Otago and Auckland regions recorded the largest increases in international guest nights.

Domestic guest nights increased 2 percent over the same period.

The Auckland and Canterbury regionsrecorded the largest increases in domestic guest nights.

Total guest nights in July 2007 were 6 percent higher than in July 2006.

Guest nights were 3 percent higherin the North Island and 10 percent higher in the South Island.

Eight of the 12 regions had more guest nights than in the previous July, with the Auckland and Otagoregions recording the largest increases.

Four of the five accommodation types had more guest nights in July 2007 than in July 2006, with hotels andbackpackers/hostels recording the largest increases.