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New Zealand hotels recorded another strong month in July, with nationwide revenue per available room (RevPAR) increasing 14 per cent year-on-year, according to the latest Horwath HTL New Zealand Hotel Performance Focus.
Growth was driven by increases in both occupancy and average daily rate (ADR), with international demand particularly strong.
International room nights increased 15.5 per cent year-on-year, compared with 4.3 per cent growth in domestic room nights, while Chinese room nights surged 60 per cent.
Auckland recorded the strongest RevPAR growth among the major hotel markets, up 19.6 per cent, followed closely by Queenstown at 19.2 per cent. The North Island overall increased 18.2 per cent, while Christchurch recorded 11.8 per cent growth.
International visitor arrivals, measured by non-New Zealand citizen border crossings, increased 7 per cent year-on-year and were within 1 per cent of pre-COVID levels.
Queenstown captured half of the national growth in international arrivals, with arrivals increasing 20 per cent amid strong winter leisure demand. Auckland recorded growth of approximately 5 per cent and Christchurch 9 per cent, while Wellington declined 7 per cent.
Auckland’s hotel performance was supported by domestic demand and recovering conference and event business, with conference-related room nights increasing 70 per cent year-on-year.
Horwath HTL says this indicates an early positive impact from activity at the New Zealand International Convention Centre, although strong conference demand was also reported by hotels outside the immediate precinct.
Queenstown’s growth was entirely internationally led, with Chinese room nights increasing approximately 35 per cent and ADR rising 12 per cent.
Christchurch also benefited strongly from international demand, with Chinese room nights approximately doubling year-on-year, although conference and event room nights fell around 28 per cent.
Wellington’s performance softened as domestic corporate and business-event demand declined, with increased group tour business providing only a partial offset.
