Total guest nights
Total guest nights in short-term commercial accommodation were 3.3 million in March 2010, a 2 percent increase compared with March 2009.
The trend had been increasing since December 2008, but has flattened in recent months. The decrease in the estimated trend this month should be treated with caution until more data points are available, as the initial estimates may be revised.
Guest nights by island
Guest nights in the North Island were 1.8 million in March 2010, a 1 percent increase compared with March 2009.
The trend in North Island guest nights decreased throughout 2008 and was relatively flat throughout 2009. The recent decrease in the trend should also be treated with caution. The trend level at March 2010 is 4 percent lower than the series peak in November 2007.
Guest nights in the South Island were 1.4 million in March 2010, a 4 percent increase compared with March 2009.
The trend had been increasing since December 2008, but has flattened in recent months. The decrease in the estimated trend this month should also be treated with caution.
Guest nights by region
Nine of the 12 regions recorded more guest nights in March 2010 than in March 2009. The regions showing the largest increases were:
- Otago, up 27,000 (7 percent)
- Bay of Plenty, up 19,000 (7 percent)
- Canterbury, up 12,000 (2 percent).
The regions showing the largest decreases were:
- Hawke's Bay/Gisborne, down 6,000 (4 percent)
- Wellington, down 2,000 (1 percent).
Origin of guests
International visitors contributed 1.6 million guest nights in March 2010, an increase of 42,000 (3 percent) from March 2009. These visitors provided 41 percent of total guest nights in the North Island and 57 percent of those in the South Island.
Nine of the 12 regions showed an increase in international guest nights in March 2010 compared with March 2009, led by:
- Otago, up 25,000 (10 percent)
- Bay of Plenty, up 11,000 (9 percent)
- West Coast, up 7,000 (8 percent)
- Nelson/Marlborough/Tasman, up 6,000 (6 percent).
The three regions with decreases in international guest nights were:
- Taranaki/Manawatu-Wanganui, down 7,000 (18 percent)
- Hawke's Bay/Gisborne, down 5,000 (12 percent)
- Wellington, down 5,000 (5 percent).
Domestic guest nights numbered 1.7 million, an increase of 32,000 (2 percent) from March 2009. Eight of the 12 regions recorded more domestic guest nights in March 2010 than in March 2009.
The regions recording the largest increases in domestic guest nights were:
- Taranaki/Manawatu-Wanganui, up 11,000 (9 percent)
- Bay of Plenty, up 9,000 (6 percent)
- Canterbury, up 8,000 (3 percent).
West Coast had the largest decrease, down 2,000 (4 percent).
Comparison with short-term overseas visitor arrival statistics
International Travel and Migration: March 2010 shows that short-term overseas visitor arrivals to New Zealand in March 2010 were up 16,800 (7 percent) from March 2009. The earlier timing of Easter, and school holidays in some Australian states, influenced this increase. The increase follows a rise of 11,300 (4 percent) in February 2010 compared with February 2009.
The estimated number of visitors who were in New Zealand during March 2010 was up 2 percent on March 2009.
New Zealand resident short-term departures for March 2010 were up 16,000 (13 percent) from March 2009.
Guest nights by accommodation type
In March 2010, three of the four accommodation types had more guest nights than in March 2009:
- hotels, up 49,000 (5 percent)
- holiday parks, up 17,000 (3 percent)
- motels, up 13,000 (1 percent).
Backpackers had the only decrease in guest nights, down 5,000 (1 percent).
In March 2010, hotels had the largest share of total guest nights (34 percent), followed by motels (32 percent).
Occupancy rate
Excluding holiday parks, the occupancy rate in March 2010 was 60 percent, compared with 59 percent in March 2009. Accommodation capacity, excluding holiday parks, was 1 percent above the March 2009 level.
Hotels had the highest occupancy rate (65 percent) of all the accommodation types in March 2010, followed by motels (59 percent) and backpackers (52 percent).
Excluding the holiday parks category, six of the twelve regions had higher occupancy rates in March 2010 than in March 2009. The Auckland and Wellington regions had the highest occupancy rates (68 percent), followed by Otago (65 percent).
Response rates
| Response rates by accommodation type for March 2010 |
| Accommodation type |
Establishments responding to questions on guest nights, guest arrivals, and stay unit nights |
Proportion of guest-night estimate from actual data |
Proportion of origin-of-guest estimate from actual data |
| Percentage |
| Hotels |
79 |
95 |
82 |
| Motels |
78 |
83 |
66 |
| Backpackers |
85 |
86 |
70 |
| Holiday parks |
85 |
89 |
77 |
| Total |
80 |
89 |
74 |
When respondents do not answer questions in this survey, Statistics New Zealand estimates the missing information based on data from similar establishments in the same or similar regions. For more information, please see the 'Technical notes' section or contact Statistics NZ.
Accommodation pivot tables
The Accommodation pivot tables provide more detailed information, breaking the survey variables down by regional tourism organisation areas and territorial authority areas. These tables can be downloaded from the Statistics NZ website (www.stats.govt.nz).
Survey sponsorship
The Accommodation Survey is a monthly survey undertaken by Statistics NZ and sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism.
For technical information contact:
Brylee Wayman or Tehseen Islam
Christchurch 03 964 8700
Email: info@stats.govt.nz
Next release ...
Accommodation Survey: April 2010 will be released on 11 June 2010.