Overseas visitor guest nights in the South Island increased 9.7 percent in November 2018 compared to November 2017, while the North Island had 2.8 percent fewer guest nights.
Over the year, South Island international guest nights rose 6.3 percent from the year ending November 2017, while North Island international nights were down 0.7 percent.
Around the country, Canterbury and Queenstown had the most significant growth in international guest nights, followed by Mackenzie, Wanaka, Fiordland, West Coast, and Auckland regions.
During that time Queenstown accommodation providers accommodated 2.6 million guest nights, while Christchurch guests grew by 18 percent to 1.9 million nights.
“Increased international guest nights in the South Island were consistent with international visitor arrivals which were also up in Christchurch and Queenstown for November,” said Melissa McKenzie, accommodation and construction statistics manager, Statistics New Zealand.
“While international guest nights in Canterbury continued to recover from the 2011 earthquakes, Queenstown has kept its title as the number one South Island destination.”
