The total number of guest nights in commercial accommodation edged up 0.5 percent in November from a year earlier to 2.7 million, but fell 4 percent from November 2007.Figures from Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) show that among the regions Otago had the big
The total number of guest nights in commercial accommodation edged up 0.5 percent in November from a year earlier to 2.7 million, but fell 4 percent from November 2007.
Figures from Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) show that among the regions Otago had the biggest improvement in November with a rise of 23,000 or 7 percent, while Nelson/Marlborough/Tasman was up 7000 or 5 percent, and Southland lifted 6000 or 8 percent.
Auckland had the biggest decrease, with a drop of 18,000 or 3 percent, and Taranaki/Manawatu-Wanganui was down 14,000 or 10 percent.
The latest figures continue a run of sizeable rises for Otago that started in June, while for Southland the series of improving figures started in August.
International visitor guest nights rose 22,000 or 2 percent from November 2008 to 1.3m, with Otago showing a rise of 15,000 or 8 percent, Nelson/Marlborough/Tasman up 8000 or 12 percent, and Southland up 7000 or 15 percent. Wellington had the largest decline, with a fall of 9000 or 10 percent.
Domestic guest nights fell 10,000 or 1 percent to 1.4m, with Taranaki/Manawatu-Wanganui down 14,000 or 13 percent, Auckland down 12,000 or 5 percent, and Waikato down 4000 or 3 percent.
Otago recorded a rise of 8000 or 7 percent in domestic guest nights in November, compared to a year earlier, Northland was up 6000 or 11 percent, and Wellington up 5000 or 4 percent.
SNZ said the trend for total guest nights had been rising in 2009 but flattening in recent months, and was now 2 percent above the previous low in December 2008.
Guest nights in backpacker accommodation rose 26,000 or 7 percent in November from a year earlier, holiday parks were up 14,000 or 3 percent, but motels slipped 6000 or 1 percent and hotels fell 22,000 or 2 percent.
Excluding holiday parks, the occupancy rate in November was 52 percent, compared with 53 percent a year earlier.
