Previously second to Sydney, in July Brisbane achieved new daily records for occupancy at 81.7 per cent, average daily rate (ADR) of $233.28 and RevPAR – revenue per available room – at $187.89.
By comparison Sydney recorded 73 per cent occupancy, $232.82 ADR and RevPar of $169.86, while Melbourne was third lowest at 68.6 per cent occupancy, $196.85 ADR and RevPar of $135.08, beating out only Adelaide and Hobart.
Accommodation Australia noted that the State of Origin blockbuster contributed to Brisbane’s performance.
“The iconic series saw hotel rooms soar beyond $1,000 a night in central Brisbane,” said the report.
Darwin’s averages across July also rose to achieve the country’s second best occupancy, up 6.6 per cent year on year to reach 79.9 per cent. Darwin also recorded stronger revenues.
Brisbane benefited from sports tourism according to the report, which described it as “a new major force in stimulating hotel demand across the city and this month was no different,” citing the NRL State of Origin, AFL and international rugby matches.
“The variety of events occurring days apart helped to strengthen the length of stay and ensure shoulder periods remained strong,” the AA report said.
It also cited other key events in Brisbane including the World Down Syndrome Congress held from July 9 to 12, attracting thousands of delegates to the city, as well as the Collaborate Innovate 2024 conference from July 22 to 24, gathering top innovators from across Australia to discuss collaborative research.
Looking at Brisbane’s forward occupancy for August 2024, bookings were up from 58 per cent last August to 64 per cent this August, with the next four months all recording better forward bookings than for the corresponding months in 2023.
