Statistics New Zealand has reported that the total guest nights in short-term commercial accommodation has risen by 6 percent in May 2007 compared with May 2006. The trend in total guest nights has been increasing since January 2006 after a flat period that began in November 2004.
The May 2007, guest nights were 6 percent higher in the North Island and 5 percent higher in the South Island compared with May 2006. Eleven of the 12 regions recorded more guest nights, with the Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions showing the largest increases.
All five accommodation types had more guest nights in May 2007 than in May 2006, with motels and caravan parks/camping grounds recording the largest increases.
The May 2007 occupancy rate, excluding caravan parks/camping grounds, was 42 percent, compared with 41 percent in May 2006. Auckland and Wellington had the highest occupancy rates, and were the only regions to achieve occupancy rates of 50 percent or more.
The rise can be seen as significant when the tourist industry is struggling with the influences if a New Zealand dollar trading at 0.78 cents against the US dollar and at record highs against nearly all other currencies.