NZ guest nights flat in August - Statistics NZ

Published: 11 Oct 2009 15:01:02 PST

WELLINGTON, Oct 12 - Demand for short-term commercial accommodation in New Zealand was unchanged in August on a year earlier, pointing to a levelling out in the important tourism sector.

There were 2 million guest nights with both domestic and international demand steady for the month, Statistics New Zealand said on Monday. The data compared with an overall 3.3 percent rise in July on the year before.

The government agency said seven of New Zealand's 12 regions had more guest nights, while four of the five accommodation types showed increases.

Overseas visitor numbers were down 1 percent in August on a year earlier.

Tourism accounts for around 10 percent of New Zealand's gross domestic product.

The country posted growth of 0.1 percent in three months to June 30 after five consecutive quarters of contraction, the longest recession in more than 30 years.