It's official - guest nights for the Otago region, and in particular Queenstown, fell in June.
Figures for both areas tumbled more than 10% compared to last year. Statistics New Zealand data obtained by the Otago Daily Times showed guest nights in Queenstown fell from 144,440 in June 2010 to 119,899 this year - a 17% decrease.
Driven largely by the drop in Queenstown guest nights, Otago faced an overall decrease of 10.1%, from 234,000 to 210,000.
Statistics New Zealand industry and labour statistics manager Louise Holmes-Oliver said later opening dates for skifields contributed, as did flight disruptions due to the ash cloud caused by the eruption of Chile's Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano.
Destination Queenstown chief executive Tony Everitt said the drop was a reflection of Christchurch earthquake after-effects still being felt during June, before the lack of snow in the resort made its mark.
In addition, 3600 seats on direct flights from Australia were cancelled due to Chilean volcanic ash, with more lost through Auckland and Christchurch connecting flights.
"Hopefully, this is as bad as it gets," Mr Everitt said.
