The results for July 2009 must be kept in perspective. July is traditionally one of the lowest recorded visitor night months. This year's comparison was with last year's mid-winter low guest night base that was influenced by the economic downturn. But a win is a win!
Probably of more interest to us is the relative performance of the accommodation sectors. Last year motels lost the crown to hotels as the accommodation sector that hosted the most guest nights. For the year ending 2008, hotels recorded a rise of 383,000 guest nights (4 percent). Motels had the largest decrease for the year, down 448,000 guest nights (4 percent).
This year the hotel sector has continued to dominate and solidify its dominant position. Why is that?
Total guest nights in all short-term commercial accommodation sectors enjoyed a 3 percent increase in July 2009 compared with July 2008.
When compared with July 2008, guest nights in the North Island were up 3 percent and the South Island up 4 percent.
Eight of the 12 regions recorded more guest nights in July 2009 compared with July 2008, with the following regions showing the largest increases:
- Otago, up 29,000 (8 percent)
- Auckland, up 26,000 (6 percent)
- Taranaki/Manawatu-Wanganui, up 10,000 (7 percent)
- Waikato, up 10,000 (6 percent)
Short-term overseas visitor arrivals to New Zealand in July 2009 were up less than 1 percent from July 2008. Australia, attracted by New Zealand ski fields, continues to boost overseas visitor numbers with a positive increase of 20 percent in July 2009 compared with July 2008.
In July 2009, four of the five accommodation types had more guest nights than in July 2008. The largest increases were recorded by:
- Hotels, up 63,000 (8 percent)
- Motels, up 5,000 (1 percent)
Hotels had the highest occupancy rate (50 percent) of all the accommodation types in July 2009, followed by motels (42 percent), and backpackers/hostels (36 percent).
Source: Click HERE
