Melbourne has a packed spring calendar of events, now including the annual Grand Prix.

Melbourne’s hotels struggled during April 2019, according to the latest STR data, with occupancy, Average Daily Rate (ADR) and Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) all down year-on-year.

The performance was one of Melbourne’s worst in recent years and wasn’t helped by a 4% increase in supply compared to 2018.

Occupancy was down 3.7% to 77.5%, ADR was down 2.3% to AUD$171.98 and RevPAR dropped by 6% to AUD$133.29.

“The absolute occupancy and RevPAR levels would be the lowest for an April in Melbourne since 2013,” STR analysts said.

STR analysts partially attribute the decrease in performance to Easter (21 April) and Anzac Day (25 April) occurring during the same week, which caused a decrease in travel.

Additionally, the performance impact from last year’s World Congress on Nuclear Medicine and Biology (20-24 April 2018) negatively affected year-over-year comparisons.

James Wilkinson

Editor-In-Chief, Hotel Management