Domestic travelers boost New Zealand guest nights

WELLINGTON, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's domestic tourism sector showed signs of a resurgence in June, figures from the government statistics agency showed Friday.

Total guest nights in commercial accommodation rose 4 percent in June compared with May with domestic guest nights rising 8.8 percent and international guest nights up 3.9 percent and followed a rise of 3.2 percent in May, according to Statistics New Zealand.

"Domestic guest nights drove the overall increase, with international guest nights rising to a lesser extent," industry and labor statistics manager Blair Cardno said in a statement.

"Most of the national rise occurred in the North Island, particularly in Auckland, with hotels showing a strong increase."

According to Statistics New Zealand, 151,100 short-term visitors arrived in New Zealand in June, a rise of 15 percent from June 2011, and 4 percent up from June 2010.

More visitors arrived from Australia (up 15,900) and China (up 3,000) in June compared with June 2011.

International guest nights rose 3.9 percent in June from May, following a rise of 0.3 percent in May.

National trends for domestic and international guest nights hotels, motels, backpacker accommodation, and holiday parks had shown moderate rises for recent months, said the statement.

Sourced: Xinhuanet