Domestic guest nights down in May

Accommodation Survey: May 2010  –  Media Release

Overnight stays by domestic travellers were down 10 percent in May 2010 compared with the previous May, Statistics New Zealand said today. 

"The decrease in domestic guest nights led to a 6 percent fall in total guest nights for May 2010," business statistics manager Louise Holmes-Oliver said. "International guest nights were almost unchanged from those in May 2009."

Guest nights in the South Island were down 9 percent in May 2010 compared with May 2009 and guest nights in the North Island were down 4 percent.

The Canterbury and Wellington regions had the largest decreases in guest nights in May 2010 compared with the previous May, due to decreases in both international and domestic guest nights. Auckland was the only region to record an overall increase, mainly driven by more international guest nights, and it was also the only region to record more domestic guest nights. 

Of the four accommodation types, motels had the largest decrease, down 11 percent. Hotels were up 3 percent, the only accommodation type to show an increase.

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

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For media enquiries contact:
Louise Holmes-Oliver
Christchurch 03 964 8700
Email: info@stats.govt.nz