Guest nights up in September 

Latest visitor accommodation figures support signs that the hard-hit tourism industry received some relief in September.

Statistics New Zealand figures published on Wednesday show 2.2 million guest nights in short-term commercial accommodation in September, a 3% rise from a year earlier, although 2% down on September 2007.

Guest nights were up, compared to a year ago, in 11 of the 12 regions in the survey.

The biggest rise was in Otago, with a gain of 19,000 or 6%, followed by Canterbury with a lift of 11,000 or 3%, and a rise of 10,000 or 5% in Bay of Plenty.

International visitors accounted for 800,000 of the September guest nights, up 58,000 or 8 percent from a year earlier.  The 1.4 million domestic guest nights was up 6000, or less than 1%.

Among the four guest accommodation types monitored, hotels had a rise of 30,000 or 4% in September from a year earlier, while backpackers were up 16,000 or 6%, motels were up 16,000 or 2%, and holiday parks rose 2000 or 1%.

The occupancy rate, excluding holiday parks, was 43%, compared to 44% in September 2008.

The data showing improved accommodation results for September followed a year-on-year rise in September of short-term overseas visitor arrivals to New Zealand of 14,700 or 9%.

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