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Horwath HLT have released their New Zealand Hotel Performance report for November 2024, and after months of uncertainty and decline, New Zealand’s hotel sector has rebounded sharply with Auckland taking centre stage in resurgence.
Boosted by a wave of international events and a steady rise in visitor arrivals, Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) climbed 7% year-on-year, delivering a much-needed boost to the nation’s struggling hospitality industry.
Also in them report by Hotel Data New Zealand (HDNZ), Auckland’s hotels recorded their first monthly RevPAR growth of 2024, marking a key turning point after six months of decline. Major concerts from global rock giants Coldplay and Pearl Jam proved to be catalysts, drawing over 150,000 fans to the city and pushing hotel occupancy to an astonishing 90% in the third week of November. Average Daily Rates (ADR) soared to $329 during the concert week, the highest rate achieved by Auckland hotels this year.
For the month overall, Auckland hotels achieved an ADR of $254, cementing the city’s position as the engine of New Zealand’s hotel recovery.
Events and Tourism Fuel Auckland’s Recovery
However, the vibrant increase in Auckland wasn’t solely driven by concerts. International visitor arrivals grew 4% compared to November 2023, led by a 14% increase in visitors from China and a 6% rise from Australia. But, not all news was positive — U.S. arrivals dipped 6%, likely influenced by November’s U.S. presidential elections.
Despite progress, international tourism remains 13% below pre-pandemic levels. While arrivals from the USA neared full recovery at 98% of 2019 levels, China’s numbers were still 15% lower than pre-COVID figures.
Christchurch and Queenstown Follow Suit
Christchurch mirrored Auckland’s success, with hotels benefiting from a 17% surge in international guests, corresponding to a 21% rise in non-resident arrivals at Christchurch Airport. This influx helped the city’s hotels hit a five-year ADR high of $241, highlighting Christchurch as a key gateway for international travellers.
In Queenstown, steady demand from overseas visitors offset a 4% drop in domestic tourism. Hotels in the resort town reported an impressive ADR of $343, narrowly missing their five-year peak, proving that Queenstown remains a must-visit destination for travellers.
