Total guest nights
Total guest nights in short-term commercial accommodation were 2.0 million in August 2009, almost unchanged from August 2008, but a 4 percent decrease compared with August 2007.
The trend in total guest nights decreased over the 2008 year. Although the trend appears to have been increasing in 2009, this change should be treated with caution, as time series analysis suggests more data is required for the direction of the trend to be confirmed. The trend level is now 3 percent higher than the previous low in November 2008, but is still 1 percent lower than the peak in December 2007.
Guest nights by island
Guest nights in the North Island were 1.2 million in August 2009, a 3 percent decrease compared with August 2008, and a 7 percent decrease compared with August 2007.
After a period of decreases from January 2008, the trend for North Island guest nights appears to have been increasing since November 2008. This apparent increase in the trend in recent months should be treated with caution, as time series analysis suggests more data is required for the direction of the trend to be confirmed. The trend level is now 1 percent higher than the previous low in November 2008, but is still 3 percent lower than the peak in December 2007.
Guest nights in the South Island were 0.9 million in August 2009, a 4 percent increase compared with August 2008 and 0.3 percent higher than in August 2007.
The trend in South Island guest nights decreased over the 2008 year. Although the trend appears to have been increasing in 2009, this change should be treated with caution, as time series analysis suggests more data is required for the direction of the trend to be confirmed. The trend level is 4 percent higher than the previous low in December 2008, and is now slightly higher than the recent peak in November 2007.
Guest nights by region
Seven of the 12 regions recorded more guest nights in August 2009 compared with August 2008. The regions showing the largest increases were:
- Otago, up 22,000 (6 percent)
- Canterbury, up 14,000 (4 percent).
Increased guest nights in Queenstown continued to boost the Otago figures.
The regions showing the largest decreases were:
- Auckland, down 32,000 (8 percent)
- Bay of Plenty, down 10,000 (6 percent).
Comparison with short-term overseas visitor arrival statistics
International Travel and Migration: August 2009 shows that short-term overseas visitor arrivals to New Zealand in August 2009 were down 1,400 (1 percent) from August 2008. This follows an increase of 500 (less than 1 percent) in July 2009 compared with July 2008.
In August 2009 compared with August 2008, there were more people visiting friends and relatives, up 1,900 (4 percent) and visitors on holiday, up 900 (1 percent), but fewer on business, down 1,900 (9 percent).
New Zealand resident short-term departures for August 2009 were unchanged from August 2008. This follows a decrease of 3,800 (2 percent) in July 2009 compared with July 2008.
Origin of guests
International visitors contributed 0.8 million guest nights in August 2009, unchanged from August 2008. These visitors provided 29 percent of total guest nights in the North Island and 51 percent of those in the South Island.
There were 25,000 (7 percent) fewer international guest nights in the North Island in August 2009 than in August 2008. International guest nights in the South Island were up 25,000 (6 percent) over the same period.
The regions showing the largest decreases were:
- Auckland, down 18,000 (10 percent)
- Bay of Plenty, down 10,000 (18 percent).
The Otago region recorded the largest increase, up 25,000 (12 percent).
Domestic guest nights numbered 1.3 million, also unchanged from August 2008.
In August 2009, domestic guest nights in the North Island were down 13,000 (2 percent) on August 2008. Over the same period, there were 12,000 (3 percent) more domestic guest nights in the South Island.
The Auckland region recorded the largest decrease in domestic guest nights, down 15,000 (6 percent), while the Canterbury region recorded the largest increase, up 11,000 (6 percent).
In August 2009, there was a response rate of 74 percent to the Accommodation Survey question on 'origin of guests'. In August 2008, the response rate was 69 percent. Figures for those establishments that failed to respond have been imputed and such high levels of imputation can affect data quality, including comparisons between different months.
Guest nights by accommodation type
In August 2009, four of the five accommodation types had more guest nights than in August 2008. Motels recorded the largest increase, up 7,000 (1 percent), while backpackers/hostels showed the only decrease, down 16,000 (5 percent).
In August 2009, hotels had the largest share of total guest nights (39 percent), followed by motels (35 percent), and backpackers/hostels (14 percent).
Occupancy rate
Excluding caravan parks/camping grounds, the occupancy rate in August 2009 was 40 percent, compared with 42 percent in August 2008. Accommodation capacity, excluding caravan parks/camping grounds, was 2 percent above the August 2008 level.
Hotels had the highest occupancy rate (49 percent) of all the accommodation types in August 2009, followed by motels (41 percent), and backpackers/hostels (32 percent).
Excluding the caravan parks/camping grounds category, seven of the 12 regions had lower occupancy rates in August 2009 than in August 2008. The regions with the highest occupancy rates were:
- Otago (56 percent)
- Auckland (50 percent)
- Wellington (46 percent).
Response rates
| Response rates by accommodation type for August 2009 |
| Accommodation type |
Establishments responding to questions on guest nights, guest arrivals and stay unit nights |
Proportion of guest-night estimate from actual data |
Proportion of origin-of-guest estimate from actual data |
| Percentage |
| Hotels |
80 |
93 |
84 |
| Motels |
79 |
82 |
67 |
| Hosted |
79 |
82 |
66 |
| Backpackers/hostels |
81 |
83 |
66 |
| Caravan parks/camping grounds |
81 |
87 |
74 |
| Total |
80 |
87 |
74 |
When respondents do not answer questions in this survey, Statistics New Zealand estimates the missing information based on data from similar establishments in the same and/or similar areas. For more information, please see the Technical notes of this release or contact Statistics NZ.
Survey change
From the September 2009 survey month (release date – 11 November), the following changes will be implemented for the Accommodation Survey:
- the 'hosted' accommodation group will be removed from the survey
- regional boundaries will be updated.
We will also update data for the previous months to be based on the new regional boundaries and with the hosted accommodation type removed. These updates will allow for continued time series comparison.
These changes are the result of a joint review conducted by Statistics NZ and the Ministry of Tourism, which aimed to balance the need for high quality information against the need to reduce respondent load.
Statistics NZ would like to thank all respondents for participating in the Accommodation Survey. Their commitment and support enables us to produce an accurate picture of the evolving New Zealand economy.
Survey sponsorship
The Accommodation Survey is a monthly survey undertaken by Statistics NZ and sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism.
For technical information contact:
Christine Sadler or Paul Sutherland
Christchurch 03 964 8700
Email: info@stats.govt.nz.
Next release ...
Accommodation Survey: September 2009 will be released on 11 November 2009.