NZ accommodation extends run of gains in December

Thursday 11th February 2016

New Zealand's accommodation providers extended their run of rising guest nights in December as both domestic and international travellers boosted tourism.

Total guest nights rose 6.2 percent to 3.85 million in December from the same month a year earlier, its 21st monthly increase, Statistics New Zealand said. Domestic guest nights gained 6.3 percent to 1.65 million and international nights were up 6 percent to 1.69 million. On a seasonally adjusted basis, total guest nights rose 1.6 percent in December.

"Guest nights in December were higher in both main islands, compared with December 2014," business indicators manager Neil Kelly said in a statement. "Rises were also recorded for domestic guest nights, international guest nights, and guest nights for all four accommodation types."

New Zealand's booming tourism sector made up for subdued household consumption and a moribund primary sector through the latter part of of last year, as a falling kiwi dollar made international visitors' spending go further.

Today's data show nights spent in the North Island rose 5.1 percent to 2.2 million and South Island nights were up 7.6 percent to 1.65 million. All regions except Nelson, Marlborough and Tasman reported a gain from December 2014, with Wellington posting the biggest increase of 9.9 percent to 272,000, followed by Canterbury's 9.7 percent rise to 546,000 and Otago's 9.3 percent gain to 588,000.

All four types of accommodation posted increased guest nights from a year earlier, with hotels up 6.2 percent, motels gaining 5 percent, backpackers rising 2.7 percent and holiday parks increasing 9.2 percent.

Occupancy rates improved from a year earlier, rising to 47.3 percent from 45 percent in December 2014, and capacity edged up 0.1 percent to 4.37 million unit-nights available.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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