June guest nights down

Total guest nights in short-term commercial accommodation in June 2009 were 1.6 million, down 5 percent on June 2008, Statistics New Zealand said today. International guest nights were down 8 percent and domestic guest nights were down 3 percent in June 2009 compared with June 2008.

There were fewer guest nights in both the North Island (down 6 percent) and South Island (down 2 percent) in June 2009 compared with June 2008. Eight of the 12 regions had fewer guest nights, with the Auckland region showing the largest decrease. The Otago region recorded the largest increase, assisted by a higher number of guest nights in Queenstown.

All five accommodation types recorded fewer guest nights, with motels experiencing the largest decrease, down 5 percent on June 2008.

Excluding caravan parks/camping grounds, the occupancy rate in June 2009 was 35 percent, the lowest occupancy rate in any month since June 1998.

In the year ended June 2009, guest nights were 3 percent lower than in the June 2008 year. All five accommodation types and 11 of the 12 regions had fewer guest nights, with Auckland showing the largest decrease.