Guest nights rise in November

National guest nights for November 2015 were 4.6 percent higher than in November 2014, Statistics New Zealand said today.

"Guest nights continued to rise this month, with the South Island leading the way when compared with November 2014," business indicators manager Clara Eatherley said. "The Otago region had the largest increase in guest nights, boosted mainly by Queenstown and Wanaka."

For November 2015, compared with November 2014:

North Island guest nights were up 2.9 percent, and South Island guest nights were up 7.0 percent.

Domestic guest nights were up 5.2 percent, and international guest nights were up 3.8 percent.

9 of the 12 regional areas had more guest nights.

All four accommodation types had more guest nights.

For the year ended November 2015, national guest nights were up 4.8 percent from the November 2014 year.

The trend for national guest nights continued to rise in November. Seasonally adjusted guest nights rose 1.5 percent, following a fall in October.

The Accommodation Survey collects data for guests staying in hotels, motels, backpacker accommodation, and holiday parks in New Zealand each month.