Overnight stays at hotels in New Zealand rose by 4% in July 2010 compared with a year earlier, according to a report by Statistics New Zealand.

International guest nights rose by 2% while domestic guest nights fell 1% in the same period.

Total guest nights rose by 0.2% in July 2010, similar to July 2009.

The Bay of Plenty posted the biggest increase in guest nights with 12% in July while Otago recorded 3%, driven by an increase in international guest nights.

Taranaki / Manawatu-Wanganui had the biggest fall in guest nights at 9% owing to decrease in domestic guest nights, according to New Zealand Herald.