Statistics New Zealand report guest nights in short-term commercial accommodation fell 183,000 to 4.2m in January.

Industry and Labour Statistics Manager, Blair Cardno, says Canterbury had the largest regional decrease, down 19.1%, due to the ongoing impact of the Canterbury earthquakes.

He also says Otago had the largest increase, up 8.8%, and is the only South Island region to record a rise. This increase is wholly due to domestic rather than international visitors.