The survey is conducted monthly and covers a sample of public and private enterprises involved in the short stay accommodation industry‚ with the results used to compile estimates of tourism satellite accounts as well as the gross domestic product.

Total income for the industry increased by 6.9% in the three months ended November last year compared with the three months ended November 2011‚ figures showed.Total income includes income from accommodation‚ restaurants and bar sales‚ and “other” income.

Stats SA said that income from accommodation only rose by 10.2% in the three months ended November last year compared with the three months ended November 2011. The increase was mainly due to an increase of 1.2% in the number of stay unit nights sold‚ and an increase of 8.9% in the average income per stay unit night sold. Income from accommodation increased by 4.2% year on year in November.

The number of stay units available increased by 1.9% in the three months ended November last year compared with the same period in 2011‚ while the number of stay units available rose by 1.8% on a year-on-year basis in November. Stats SA describes a stay unit as a unit of accommodation available to be charged out to guests. Examples include a powered site in a caravan park or a hotel room. Stay unit nights sold also rose on an annual basis‚ Stats SA reported. The stay unit nights sold refers to the total number of stay units occupied on each night during November.