Co-hosting the Cricket World Cup has paid dividends for New Zealand with an influx of foreign visitors.
Official figures show the number of international guest nights rose 11 per cent in March compared to the same month last year while domestic guest nights rose by more than five per cent.
New Zealand hosted 23 games of the tournament over February and March which helped both domestic and international guest nights rise compared to March 2014, Statistics New Zealand said in its accommodation survey.
“March was a good month for all regions and for both international and domestic guest nights,” business indicators manager Neil Kelly said.
“Visitor numbers were boosted by the Cricket World Cup, and the timing of holiday periods.”
OTHER KEY MARCH FIGURES
* North Island guest nights up 6.7 per cent to 2 million
* South Island guest nights up 8.7 per cent to 1.5 million
* West Coast biggest gainer jumping 14 per cent to 151,000
* All four accommodation nights recorded increased stays: holiday parks (9.6 per cent), motels (8.8 per cent), hotels (6.7 per cent), backpackers (3.9 per cent).
