Queenstown hoteliers say they did not see an appreciable increase in guest nights in November, possibly because more rooms were available than 12 months previously.
New Zealand Hotel Council Queenstown chairwoman Penny Clark was asked to comment yesterday, on the latest commercial accommodation monitor (CAM) for the resort, for November last year, released this week by Statistics New Zealand.
Results revealed a 5% year-on-year increase in Queenstown guest nights for November, the first rise in monthly guest nights in the Wakatipu since the Christchurch earthquake in February last year.
Statistics NZ reported hotels had the largest increase, followed by backpackers, while motels experienced a decrease.
The resort's increase compared with a national decline of 1.5% for the month.
Domestic guest nights in Queenstown were up a notable 36.6% to 68,232. The average length of stay rose from 2.25 nights to 2.30 nights.
The overall occupancy rate rose from 49.6% to 51.3%, while the occupancy rate, excluding holiday parks, was 56.8%.
Accommodation capacity, excluding holiday parks, was up 4.2%.
International guests accounted for 64.8% of all guest nights in Queenstown, down 6.7%.
"I can't imagine that the hoteliers have had an increase in the domestic market in November," Ms Clark said.
"If I look at the star gradings, they've all done on par with last year, except with five-star ... the Hilton's in there, so that's brought the figures back.
"We've probably done as well, if not a little bit better. If the CAM figures are saying we've done better, I'm ready to accept that. The problem I'm having is why the CAM numbers are covering [fewer] properties."
Ms Clark said the report did not take into account the burgeoning cruise market into Dunedin, which was booming and positively affected tourism in the South Island. Many Australians went cruising instead of coach touring, she said.
Chinese visitors might also stay with friends and relations and all travel to Queenstown together.
Asked what factors she put the November occupancy increase of 5% down to, Ms Clark said: "Is it because we've been stymied by rugby and school holidays and it's all behind us and people said 'Let's go to Queenstown for a break'?
"I'd be pretty confident there's a huge amount of quake zone displacement and, of course, we've had magnificent weather."
