Chamber concerned about continuing HB tourism downturn

MEDIA RELEASE
July 13 2010      

Statistics New Zealand yesterday released the Accommodation Survey for May 2010.

Nationally total guest nights in short-term commercial accommodation had a 6 percent decrease compared with May 2009.  Eleven  of the 12 regions recorded fewer guest nights in May 2010 than in May 2009. 
The only region showing an increase was Auckland, up 6 percent.

The trend had been increasing since December 2008, but appears to have decreased in recent months.

In Hawke’s Bay however the decline in the year since May 2009 has been -14.5%.

‘Whilst Hawke’s Bay’s decline has not been as great in percentage terms as a few other areas, it is substantially greater than the national trend,’ said Chamber CEO Murray Douglas.
‘More critically it is on the back of a persistent decline in both domestic and international visitors in eight of the last nine months which is not mirrored to the same extent in other areas’.

The result of this consistent decline shows up in the annual guest night numbers in May 2010 being the lowest since 2006.

‘It is not clear why these enduring declines have been occurring, but the effect is quite obvious in a severe and immediate ripple effect through the whole of the business community’ said Mr Douglas.

‘We know Venture Hawke’s Bay has had its issues over the last few months, but if ever we need a call to ‘get on with the task’ and produce an effective and properly funded marketing campaign, these figures should make all policy makers take notice‘ Mr Douglas concluded.

For further information contact Murray Douglas, Chief Executive, Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce, 06 876 5938 or 021 986666.
ENDS