Guest nights down in January

Guest nights fell 2.3 percent in January 2011 compared with January 2010, Statistics New Zealand said today. Domestic guest nights fell 2.6 percent, accounting for two-thirds of the overall drop, while international guest nights fell 2.0 percent. Although lower than January 2010, guest night figures for the latest month are still 2.0 percent higher than in January 2009.

Eleven of the 12 regions recorded fewer guest nights compared with January 2010 (Auckland had the only increase). Bay of Plenty and Otago showed the largest falls (down 7.1 and 3.6 percent respectively), due to fewer domestic guest nights. In January 2011, most South Island regions recorded fewer international guest nights, particularly Canterbury and Southland.

The increase in Auckland guest nights for January 2011 resulted in their highest number on record: 611,000. Higher domestic guest nights (up 10.9 percent) led the increase, but international guest nights were also up (3.9 percent).

Of the four accommodation types, holiday parks and motels had fewer guest nights, down 4.6 and 5.6 percent respectively from January 2010. Hotels had the largest increase, up 3.6 percent, while backpackers were up just 0.3 percent.

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

Due to the impact of the February earthquake on Statistics New Zealand’s Christchurch operations, there is no accompanying commentary for the January 2011 Accommodation Survey release. Please refer to the attached tables (also available from our website, www.stats.govt.nz) or contact us for further information.

Note that Accommodation Survey: February 2011 information release will be published on 2 May 2011.

Geoff Bascand 14 April 2011

Government Statistician