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Hotel, accommodation - Source: ONE News
The accommodation sector had stable demand in August with domestic and international guest nights largely unchanged, Statistics New Zealand says.
Figures released on Monday show that total guest nights in short-term commercial accommodation were 2 million in August, almost unchanged from August 2008.
Of these guest nights, international visitors contributed 0.8 million guest nights and domestic guest nights numbered 1.3 million - both unchanged from August 2008.
There was, however, some movement in guest nights between the North and South Islands.
Data for the North Island shows guest nights declined 3% to 1.2 million, though Statistics New Zealand says the trend since November 2008 appears to be on the increase.
Guest nights in the South Island were 0.9 million in August 2009, up 4% compared with August 2008.
Statistics New Zealand says seven of the 12 regions surveyed recorded an increase in guest nights, with Otago reporting the largest increase in international guest nights and Christchurch having the largest increase in domestic guest nights.
Auckland and Bay of Plenty recorded the largest decreases in overall guest nights.
In August, international visitors into New Zealand were down 1% (1,400 arrivals) compared with August 2008.
Of the five accommodation types, four had more guest nights than in August 2008, with motels reporting the largest increase, up 1% or 7,000 nights.
Backpackers and hostels showed the only decrease, down 5% or 16,000 guest nights.
Hotels accounted for the biggest share of guest nights at 39%, followed by motels (35%) and backpackers/hostels (14%).
