Accommodation Survey: February 2012

Period-specific information
This section contains data information that has changed since the last release.

• Response rates

General information
This section contains information that does not change between releases.

• Data source
• Coverage
• Accuracy of the data
• Consistency with other periods
• Interpreting the data
• Confidentiality
• More information

Period-specific information

Response rates

When businesses do not answer questions in the Accommodation Survey, Statistics NZ estimates the missing information based on data from similar establishments in the same or similar regions. For more information, please see the 'Accuracy of the data' section below or contact Statistics NZ.

 

General information

Data source

Data is obtained from accommodation providers or their representatives each month, mostly via a postal survey.

Coverage

The Accommodation Survey covers most short-term commercial accommodation in New Zealand. The accommodation types included are:

• hotels
• motels
• backpacker accommodation
• holiday parks.

The following are excluded:

• hosted accommodation (such as 'bed & breakfast' establishments) 
• marine vessels (such as cruise ships)
• private dwellings
• tramping huts 
• event-specific accommodation (such as temporary campervan parks).

The target population for this survey is all 'geographic units' (called 'establishments' in this publication) that are classified as short-term (less than one month) commercial accommodation providers operating in New Zealand.

In terms of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification 2006 (ANZSIC06), the target population is taken from class 4400 (accommodation), and the part of class 4520 (pubs, taverns, and bars) that also provides accommodation.

The survey frame is all short-term commercial accommodation-providing geographic units belonging to an economically significant 'enterprise'. Economic significance is generally determined by the enterprise being GST-registered and having a turnover of at least $30,000 per year.

Accuracy of the data

Survey errors

This survey aims for 100 percent coverage of the accommodation businesses in New Zealand (a full census). In practice, however, an overall response rate of between 76 and 80 percent is usually achieved. Statistics New Zealand estimates values for the remaining units based upon the characteristics of similar establishments in the same or similar regions. This introduces unknown errors into the estimates, and users of the data should bear this in mind. The size of these unknown errors is difficult to quantify.

Other errors include respondent error, and errors in coverage, classification, and processing. While every effort is made to minimise these errors, they will still occur. It is not possible to quantify their effect. 

Consistency with other periods

Survey changes

From the October 2007 survey month, information about the number of domestic and international guest nights became available on a monthly basis. Previously, this information was available every third month.

From the September 2009 survey month:

• the 'hosted' accommodation group was removed from the survey
• regional boundaries were updated.

Results for earlier months were reworked to incorporate these changes, thereby enabling continued comparison across all survey months.

Two accommodation types were renamed:

• 'backpackers/hostels' was renamed 'backpackers'
• 'caravan parks/camping grounds' was renamed 'holiday parks'.

These changes are the result of a joint review conducted by Statistics NZ and the Ministry of Tourism, which aimed to balance the need for high quality information against the need to reduce respondent load.

Interpreting the data

Classification of accommodation type

The predominant capacity provided determines the accommodation type. For instance, if a business provides both motel and camping ground accommodation, but the majority of its stay units are motel rooms, then it would be classified as a motel. The classification system used is the New Zealand Accommodation Classification, broadly defined below:

• hotels: includes both hotels and resorts
• motels: includes motor inns, apartments, and motels
• backpackers: includes hostels
• holiday parks: includes caravan parks and camping grounds.

For more information, contact info@stats.govt.nz

Trend estimates

For any series, the survey estimates can be broken down into three components: trend, seasonal, and irregular. While seasonally adjusted series have had the seasonal component removed, the trend series have had both the seasonal and the irregular components removed. Trend estimates reveal the underlying direction of movement in a series, and are likely to indicate turning points more accurately than seasonally adjusted estimates.

The accommodation trend series are calculated using the X-12-ARIMA seasonal adjustment package. They are based on optimal moving averages of the seasonally adjusted series, with an adjustment for outlying values. The X-12-ARIMA package is an updated version of X-11-ARIMA, developed by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The trend estimates towards the end of the series incorporate new data as it becomes available, and can therefore change as more observations are added to the series. Revisions can be particularly large if an observation is treated as an outlier in one month, but is found to be part of the underlying trend as further observations are added to the series. All trend estimates are subject to revisions each month, but normally only the last two or three estimates are likely to be substantially altered.

Trend estimates versus month-on-month comparisons

Trend estimates reveal the underlying direction of the movement in a series. In contrast, comparisons between one month and the same month in the previous year(s) do not take account of data recorded in between these periods, and are subject to one-off fluctuations. Reasons for fluctuations include changes in the timing of holidays, international crises, and large sporting and cultural events.

Seasonally adjusted estimates

The X-12-ARIMA package has been used to produce the seasonally adjusted estimates referred to in the 'Commentary' text. Seasonal adjustment aims to eliminate the impact of regular seasonal events. These may be due to climatic effects (such as more guests staying in camping grounds during the summer) or calendar effects (such as holidays). This makes the data for adjacent months more comparable. All seasonally adjusted figures are subject to revision each month.

For more information, see Seasonal adjustment in Statistics New Zealand.

Confidentiality

Statistics NZ produces national and regional statistics from a monthly survey of accommodation businesses. We do not release information about individuals or businesses.

More information

More information about the Accommodation Survey is available on our website.

Liability

While care has been used in processing, analysing and extracting information, Statistics NZ gives no warranty that the information supplied is free from error. Statistics NZ shall not be liable for any loss suffered through the use, directly or indirectly, of any information, product or service.

Timing

Timed statistical releases are delivered using postal and electronic services provided by third parties. Delivery of these releases may be delayed by circumstances outside the control of Statistics NZ. Statistics NZ accepts no responsibility for any such delays.

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