South Island visitor numbers drop

The earthquake damaged Hotel Grand Chancellor in Christchurch.

International visitor numbers to the South Island dropped in November, compared to the same time last year.

Statistics New Zealand's Louise Holmes-Oliver said a drop in visitors began after the first of the earthquakes in September 2010.

She said a lack of accommodation in quake-struck areas of Canterbury mean less people have visited the region.

Despite the drop in international visitors, there was an increase in domestic visitors to the South Island during November.