The Asia-Pacific Hotel Industry Conference and Exhibition (AHICE), the largest and most influential hotel investment and operations summit across Asia Pacific and the Southern Hemisphere, returns to Adelaide this week (Apr 30 – May 2), continuing to drive expansion for South Australia’s hotel sector.
Hosting more than 1,450 delegates from over 40 countries around the world, the conference annually draws the world’s leading hotel and hospitality investors to Adelaide.
Recent hospitality investment (new build and refurbishments) contributing to investment into South Australia include:
• BreakFree Port Pirie (Accor)
• Crowne Plaza Adelaide (IHG)
• EOS by SkyCity Adelaide (SkyCity)
• Hotel Alba (EVT)
• Hotel Indigo Adelaide Market (IHG)
• Mantra Tonsley Adelaide (Accor)
• Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge (Accor)
• Novotel Barossa Valley Resort (Accor)
• Peppers Waymouth Adelaide (Accor)
• Pullman Adelaide (Accor)
• The Playford Adelaide – M Gallery (Accor)
• Tryp by Wyndham Pulteney Street (Wyndham)
• Vibe Hotel Adelaide (TFE)
Imminent South Australian hotel openings include:
• Crowne Plaza Adelaide Mawson Lakes (August 2024)
• Adelaide Marriott Hotel (2024)
• Little National Adelaide (2024)
• Crystalbrook Sam, Adelaide (2026)
• The Westin Adelaide (2026)
Recent deals include the purchase of the five-star Sofitel Adelaide last year by GIC and Salter Brothers ($154 million), a record price for a single asset hotel deal in Adelaide. The deal marked Salter Brother’s first hotel in Adelaide and signals their confidence in the market.
AHICE Group President and Founder, James Wilkinson, said: “Adelaide is an exciting destination for AHICE as the city’s accommodation sector has expanded rapidly, with so many new hotels opening in recent years and even more to come.
“AHICE has grown into the largest and most significant hotel industry conference in the world outside the United States, with senior international hospitality leaders travelling to
Adelaide to attend, and it’s terrific to have South Australia firmly in the spotlight for the global industry,” he said.
South Australian Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison, said: “It is a real sign of confidence in the strength of demand for accommodation in our state to play host to this major business event for the fourth consecutive year.
“We’ve seen exceptional examples of this strong demand recently, with March 2024 delivering the strongest revenue for a month on record and the highest ever number of room nights occupied for any month, as well as new single night hotel revenue record-highs set in April when Adelaide hosted the AFL Gather Round.
“There’s no doubt this strong demand helps spur investment and I look forward to AHICE bringing leading hoteliers and key industry decision makers to our city to further inspire future opportunities.”
Delegates include hotel investors, owners, operators, consultants and suppliers for networking, panel sessions and global hotelier Q&As guest speakers discussing the direction of the hotel sector in Australia, the Asia-Pacific and across the world.
Accor’s head of the Pacific region, Chief Operating Officer PM&E, Adrian Williams said: “We love the impact major events like AHICE have on a city. The surge of activity and vibrant energy they bring creates a huge positive buzz.
“The influx of people pouring into Adelaide for events like this not only electrifies the atmosphere but also fuels the engine of our tourism industry, creating a ripple effect of opportunities and economic growth and we thank the South Australian Government for its strong investment in tourism and major events across the state,” he said.
Crystalbrook Collection Chief Executive Officer, Geoff York, said: “Adelaide is one of Australia’s fastest growing tourism markets that offers the best of food and wine, unrivalled nature experiences and an expanding cultural events program.”
Marriott International Area Vice President – Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Sean Hunt, said: “The Westin Adelaide will be the second Marriott International property in South Australia, following the opening of Marriott Adelaide Hotel later this year.
“The project’s strategic location in the CBD and the retention of the iconic heritage building will be key ingredients for the distinctive positioning of a hotel that will have global pedigree.”
AHICE has been held in Adelaide since 2021 and is expected to generate significant economic benefits from attendees flying to South Australia from interstate and overseas.