Music to hoteliers’ ears as Sydney concert cap lifted

The NSW Government is lifting the cap on concerts for the SCG precinct and Allianz Stadium from an average of four events a year to 20 events a year, in a bid to drive more visitation to the state.

Lifting the restriction on concerts spells good news for the accommodation sector, with Accommodation Australia NSW Manager, Stacey McBride, welcoming the move.

“Lifting the cap from four concerts per year to 20 just makes good sense,” said McBride.

“It will bring in more international artists who, in turn, attract tourists from interstate, overseas and other parts of NSW into the CBD.”

Major global artists are making their long-awaited return to Australia in the wake of the pandemic and they are proving to be a huge drawcard to key cities.

“Events consistently increase occupancy rates at hotels, we saw it with Ed Sheeran, Elton John and Harry Styles and we are seeing it again in a big way ahead of Taylor Swift,” said McBride.

“Early statistics for the Swift concerts in February show, on average, a 36% increase on bookings compared to this time last year.”