Key findings: P6410 - Tourist accommodation, December 2008

Stay units available increases

The number of stay units available between the fourth quarter of 2008 and the fourth quarter of 2007 increased by 0,9%. In addition, there was an increase of 1,2% in the number of stay units available during December 2008 (107 700) compared to December 2007 (106 400).

Number of stay unit nights sold increases

The number of stay unit nights sold during the fourth quarter of 2008 increased by 0,8% (from 5 277 100 to
5 317 800) compared to the fourth quarter of 2007.

The number of stay unit nights sold in December 2008 increased by 4,7% (81 500) compared to December 2007.

Occupancy rate
The occupancy rate during the fourth quarter of 2008 decreased slightly to 53,8% from 53,9% in the fourth quarter of 2007. However, the occupancy rate in December 2008 increased to 53,9% from 52,1% in December 2007.

Income from accommodation increases

Income from accommodation in the fourth quarter of 2008 increased by 16,8%  (R505,7 million) compared with the fourth quarter of 2007. This increase was mainly due to an increase of 15,9% in the average income per stay unit night sold in the fourth quarter of 2008 compared to the fourth quarter of 2007.

Income from accommodation in December 2008 increased by 14,1% (R139,7 million) compared to December 2007.