While winter had set in for the rest of the east coast, Brisbane hotels in July averaged 81 per cent occupancy, ADR of $274.61, up 17.5 per cent, with RevPAR hitting $222.42, up 18.7 per cent, according to figures from Accommodation Australia.
It was Brisbane’s strongest July on record with Accommodation Australia’s report commenting that it capped “one of the most significant years of economic activity for the city” and nominating the British and Irish Lions tour as the standout driver, attracting more than 40,000 international fans to Brisbane.
The Lions tour generated an estimated $55 million boost to the Queensland economy and the influx of visitors generated more than 250,000 room nights across Queensland, with Brisbane recording unprecedented daily revenue results.
Technically hoteliers should be cheering in Darwin as the territory outperformed the state capitals to record the highest numbers – with occupancy at 84.9 per cent, up 6.2 per cent, ADR at $266.56, up 3.2 per cent, and RevPAR up 9.6 per cent at $226.18.
Sydney reported a 9.4 per cent gain in occupancy, to post a 79.7 per cent result, with ADR at $248.73, up 7 per cent, and RevPAR at $198.17, up 17.1 per cent. Perth enjoyed smaller gains to finish the month at 78.5 per cent occupancy, up 6.3 per cent, ADR at $223.40, up 7 per cent and RevPAR at $175.45, up 13.7 per cent.
Adelaide figures were also up, with occupancy at 75.6 per cent, 11.2 per cent higher, ADR at $198.80, up 8.8 per cent, and RevPAR of $146.53, up 21 per cent. And while Canberra hit 81 per cent occupancy to equal Brisbane, the national capital’s results were lower overall with an ADR of $201.83 and RevPAR of $164.86.
By contrast, despite its penchant for sports attendance, particularly AFL in winter, and recording its highest occupancy on record during July, Melbourne’s occupancy rate of 74 per cent, up 8.2 per cent, remained the second lowest in Australia, ahead of just Hobart which recorded a 68.9 per cent occupancy rate. Melbourne’s July ADR was up 7.6 per cent at $212.67 with RevPAR at $157.55, a rise of 16.4 per cent.
