Guest night growth twice national average

Queenstown guest night growth twice national average

A strong start to the ski season and a very successful Winter Festival has contributed to Queenstown recording more than double the national average growth in guest nights.

According to Statistics New Zealand’s June Commercial Accommodation Monitor (CAM) released yesterday (11 August) total visitor nights were up 14.9 percent or 144,440 and international visitor nights were up 15.1 percent to 90,958 compared to the same time last year. Domestic visitor nights also rebounded strongly, up 14.6 percent to 53,482.

The national average compared to June 2009 was an increase of seven percent or 113,000 nights.

Destination Queenstown CEO Tony Everitt says he’s delighted with the results which round off a year of recovery.

“Everything has come together to ensure our winter season starts well and starts early. We’ve had a robust start to the ski season, a fantastic Winter Festival, more direct domestic and tran-Tasman flights, and a particularly strong response from the Australian market.

“Winter has also started strongly in the Conference and Incentive market compared to last year and forward bookings are tracking well for the season.

“In terms of long haul markets, Asia has bounced back from its 2009 flu-impacted lows but North America and Europe remain challenging as the economic situation dulls travel demand,” he says.

James Coddington, the CEO of NZSki Limited, is very happy with the strong start to the ski season.

"Coronet Peak and The Remarkables got off to a great start this year - the early snow falls, combined with world-class snowmaking, meant we were able to provide excellent trail conditions from day one.

“It’s also very pleasing to see the strong numbers coming out of Australia, as a considerable amount of work and investment has been put into driving the Australian growth by NZSki and its partners, including Destination Queenstown, Tourism New Zealand and the airlines.”

ENDS

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