Rise in guest nights best in NZ

Queenstown has recorded the largest increase for guest nights over the summer in New Zealand, with a 33,000 increase in January 2010, compared to the same time last year.

The latest figures from Statistics New Zealand's commercial accommodation monitor (CAM) were "truly fantastic results", Destination Queenstown chief executive Tony Everitt said.

"The local tourism industry is doing a great job this summer, continuing to achieve positive growth in the current economic climate," Mr Everitt said.

"The CAM further backs up Queenstown's position as a premier summer holiday destination for domestic and international visitors."

January had been a record month for New Zealand as a whole. Overnight stays in commercial accommodation were up 4% on the same period last year.

At 4.4 million, guest night numbers were the highest recorded since the CAM survey began in 1996.

Queenstown's international visitors accounted for 68.1% of guest nights, up 17.2% (185,105) on January 2009.

Domestic guests increased 7.6% to 86,538.

The January CAM also revealed the resort's overall occupancy rate rose from 56.6% to 66.6% and the average length of stay rose from 2.3 nights to 2.31 nights.

"The data really shows how successful DQ and the industry have been in marketing Queenstown both internationally and domestically," Mr Everitt said.

"DQ is now hoping to keep the momentum going."

Autumn campaigns had begun in Australia and would be followed with winter advertising.

"These are set to give the region a high profile over the next few months," he said.