Income from accommodation for the three months ended August decreased by 30.0% compared with the corresponding period in 2010.

The decrease was due to a decrease of 12.5% in the number of stay unit nights sold and a decrease of 20.0% in the average income per stay unit night sold.

Income from accommodation in August increased by 1.6% compared with August last year.

Stats SA said the number of stay units available in August decreased by 2.5% y/y. The number of stay units available for the three months ended August decreased by 2.7% compared with the same period in 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 August decreased by 4.0% 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 ended August decreased by 12.5% compared with the three months ended August 2010.