The Marshall Government is delivering on its commitment to grow a strong visitor economy for South Australia with new data showing 2019 hotel bookings have hit the highest on record.
The research from global data and analytics services STR reveals accommodation providers in Adelaide have experienced unparalleled growth over the past four months – with October 2019 hitting the highest revenue, rooms occupied and occupancy for the past decade.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, David Ridgway said the results will provide a further boost to the state’s already booming $7.6 billion visitor economy and create more jobs in the tourism sector.
“Tourism is a super-growth sector and a key economic priority for the Marshall Government and we are well on track to reach the target of an $8 billion visitor economy by the end of 2020.
“This is great news for our tourism sector but also the number of international hotel brands that have recently invested in our state to increase the room supply over the next few years.
“By late 2020, we will have an additional 700 new rooms as a result of new hotels developments opening their doors for business, these include the Skycity hotel, the Sofitel and the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
“Further to this we have other new hotel developments coming down the pipeline including the Westin hotel and of course the $180 million Hyatt Hotel, which will add another 580 rooms and create hundreds of jobs here in South Australia,” Minister Ridgway said.
The new data also reveals overall revenue for Adelaide accommodation properties was up five per cent in July, up six per cent in August and up 11 per cent in September and 22 per cent in October.
In October last year, hotels reported an occupancy rate of 82 per cent with total rooms occupied at 7300 on average per day, while October 2019 recorded an all-time high occupancy rate of 90 per cent with 8200 rooms occupied on average per day.
South Australian Tourism Commission Chief Executive Rodney Harrex said the strong data came on the back of targeted and timely marketing campaigns during the winter months, and into Spring / Summer – such as ‘Old Mate’ and ‘Fun’s Changed – It’s Closer than you Think’.
“The aim was to make some noise about South Australia, and all the experiences and offerings we have here, and to have such a big lift in occupancy and demand to record highs is tremendous news for the sector,” he said.
“We are seeing record volumes for our hoteliers, and a lot more activity coming up over summer with sport, festivals, events and conventions. The buoyancy in the industry is exciting, and it’s only going to get better with the new hotels coming on-line next year.”
Majestic Hotels, which has four hotels in Adelaide, said October was an outstanding month.
“We had a record-breaking October with all four Adelaide-based properties setting sales records. We are very keen to see how the summer months pan out, after a strong first half,” Tom Christiansen, Majestic Hotels Group Revenue & Reservations Manger said.
Down the Rabbit Hole owner Elise Cook said the venue had been experiencing unprecedented visitation.
“It’s been all going brilliantly, hitting capacity most weekends, and particularly good given there has been a huge amount of interstate visitors too,” she said.
Africola restaurant owner Duncan Welgemoed also said the winter months had been busy.
“We have seen an increase in the interstate and international demographic. It’s a beautiful thing to showcase what is so great about this State to a wider audience,” he said.
AHA South Australia Chief Executive Officer Ian Horne said today the data reinforced the innovation and professionalism of South Australia’s hotel industry.
“It is exciting news for South Australian hoteliers and their staff. Day in day out they, provide patrons with the highest quality of food and beverage, entertainment, quality accommodation and excellent service, and it’s terrific that the latest numbers are so strong,” he said.
