New Zealanders stayed 2.7 per cent more nights in hotels, motels, backpackers, and holiday parks in July 2019 than in July 2018, Stats NZ has said.
Kiwis spent more than 1.7 million nights in short-term commercial accommodation in July 2019.
"Domestic guest nights in July months have risen consistently over the last seven years, increasing more than New Zealand’s population over the same period," accommodation statistics manager Melissa McKenzie says.
Total guest nights rose 0.8 per cent to 2.7 million in the month of July 2019, compared with the previous July. This was driven by a 2.7 per cent rise in domestic guest nights, which offset a 2.4 per cent fall in international guest nights.
International guest nights have decreased for the last eight months, when compared with the same month in the previous year.
In July 2019, the Wellington region had the biggest increase in guest nights – propped up by All Blacks and Warriors rugby games in the city. International guest nights were up 28 per cent, and domestic guest nights up 4.2 per cent, compared with July 2018.
International guest nights in Wellington were also high in July 2017 when the Lions rugby tour boosted activity.
The Accommodation Survey collects data for guests staying in short-term commercial accommodation such as hotels, motels, backpackers, and holiday parks. Hosted and private accommodation, such as bed and breakfasts and holiday homes, are excluded.
