Total income for the accommodation industry (which includes restaurant sales, bar sales and other income) for the three months to May decreased by 0.7% compared with the three months to May 2010.

Income from accommodation for the three months to May decreased by 1.9% compared with the corresponding period in 2010.

The decrease was due to a decrease of 4.3% in the number of stay unit nights sold. The average income per stay unit night sold increased by 2.4% during the same period. Income from accommodation in May decreased by 3.8% compared with May last year.

Stats SA said the number of stay units available in May decreased by 1.9% year-on-year (y/y). The number of stay units available for the three months to May decreased by 1.2% compared with the three months to May 2010.

A stay unit is the unit of accommodation available to be charged out to guests, for example a powered site in a caravan park or a room in a hotel.

The number of stay unit nights sold in May decreased by 8.0% y/y. Stay unit nights sold refers to the total number of stay units occupied on each night during the survey period.

The number of stay unit nights sold for the three months to May decreased by 4.3% compared with the same period in 2010.