The need for more accommodation in Dunedin is evident in the increasing number of visitors staying in the city.

The latest data from Statistics New Zealand shows commercial guest nights across Otago are rising each year.

For the month of February they were up 5.7%.

And a slightly lower increase was also recorded in January.

Otago's increase in guest nights for the month of February was higher than the national average.

All 12 regions in the country received more visitors during that month, compared to the same time last year.

Tourism activity was boosted by the Cricket World Cup and Chinese New Year.