Australian accommodation revenue up 8.3 per cent

By on July 4, 2012 in Email Newsletter, Hotel News, Stop Press

Revenue in Australian hotels is on the rise. Pictured: Melbourne

The latest figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics have revealed national accommodation revenue has once again increased, with the March quarter of 2012 up 8.3 per cent on the same period in 2011.

Revenue in the hotels segment provided most of this growth, with a 9.3 per cent increase on the March quarter 2011.

Key supply and demand indicators for the March quarter 2012 showed total demand for tourist accommodation in Australia’s hotels, motels, guest houses and serviced apartments (15 rooms or more) increased in the March quarter 2012.

The number of room nights occupied increased by 4.9 per cent to 13.7 million nights and the takings from accommodation increased by 8.3 per cent in nominal terms (6.6 per cent in real terms) to $2.3 billion.

The resources states performed best, with Western Australia dollar takings up 20.2 per cent, followed by South Australia (up 14.2 per cent) and Queensland (up 12.5 per cent) due to strong business visitation due to the mining boom.

The supply of tourist accommodation in Australia declined slightly in the March quarter 2012, with the number of rooms available falling by 0.6 per cent to 228,600 rooms.

Australia’s Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson, said that the figures add weight to the Government’s focus on increasing the supply of quality accommodation in Australia, particularly in capital cities benefiting from strong business and international growth.

“Australia’s competitiveness as a tourist destination depends on our ability to meet demand for hotel rooms and provide quality accommodation to visitors to Australia,” he said.

“It is estimated that Australia needs an extra 40,000 hotel rooms by 2020.  The development by Tourism Australia of the Tourism Investment Guide and the partnership with Austrade to target investment in tourism products will help meet expected demand. 

“Reforms to cut red tape and streamline planning by the States and Territories under the Tourism 2020 Strategy also aim to encourage hotel construction and provide the jobs that go with this investment.”

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