Statistics for accommodation have witnessed a drop by 11% for the month of March, mostly affected by the late arrival of Easter this year.

For accommodation providers the depressed headline numbers from Statistics New Zealand are more bad news, but are unsurprising.

The statistics were low universally across the country and led by a 24 % decrease in paid guest nights in camping grounds for each accommodation type, typically strong performers during the Easter break.

International visitor nights were low 197,000 as compared to March 2008 or with the biggest decrease by 11% recorded in Auckland, down by 15 %, Otago, down by 12 % and Wellington, down by 24,000 or 20%.

With Canterbury and Bay of Plenty taking the worst hit, low by 17%, nights for accommodation bought by domestic travelers were low by 10% for the month.

Increase in domestic guest nights has been recorded in Auckland and Southland.

Since 2002 the Occupancy rates were at their lowest for March.