Monday, September 9, 2024 Accor’s Queensland hotels saw impressive growth through 2024, with increased occupancy and new expansions, cementing the state’s top position in Australian tourism. Accor’s hotel network in Queensland experienced consistent growth through July 2024, reaffirming the state’s dominant role in Australia’s tourism and hospitality sectors. With 95 hotels, resorts, and apartments (12,095 rooms), Accor’s Queensland properties saw occupancy rise by 1.
5 points to 70.7% compared to the same period last year. Brisbane City led the resurgence with a notable 4.
6-point increase in occupancy, driven by rising leisure and corporate demand. The broader leisure market slightly outperformed last year (+0.4 points), while Cairns recorded the highest year-to-date growth, with a 7.
0-point occupancy rise, thanks to a surge in leisure and group bookings. Looking ahead, Brisbane and surrounding areas are 2.8 points ahead in occupancy for the remainder of 2024, fueled by strong demand from major events and a vibrant sports calendar during September and October.
Coastal regions are also benefiting from forward bookings, with Cairns (+3.9 points), Gold Coast (+3.8 points), and regional Queensland (+2.
9 points) pacing ahead of last year. Cairns and regional Queensland are seeing growth across all segments, while the Gold Coast benefits from increased group bookings. Accor’s strong performance mirrors Queensland’s tourism success.
Tourism Research Australia reported a record 27 million visitors to the state by March 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels as both domestic and international tourism surged. Queensland also saw overnight visitor expenditure (OVE) reach an all-time high of $6.1 billion, a 100.
9% recovery compared to 2019, with Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast achieving record-breaking international OVE numbers. Leading the international tourism recovery were visitors from New Zealand, China, the UK, Japan, and the USA, a trend expected to strengthen in 2024-25, driven by significant expansions in international inbound flights to Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Cairns. Brisbane Airport is nearing pre-2019 international travel levels, with a 39.
4% increase in FY24 compared to FY23. Ten new international routes have launched this year, with additional services from cities like Los Angeles, Dallas, Manila, and Bangkok scheduled for FY25. Gold Coast Airport will resume seasonal flights to Hong Kong, and Jetstar will offer year-round direct flights from Auckland to the Sunshine Coast starting in December, capitalizing on its largest inbound market.
Cairns Airport also welcomed back flights from China and Hong Kong, along with increased capacity from Singapore Airlines and a new service from AirAsia Indonesia. Accor Pacific COO Adrian Williams noted that Queensland continues to lead Australia’s tourism recovery. In October, Accor will further cement its dominance in Queensland with the opening of Peppers Gladstone, the first five-star hotel in Central Queensland.
The 32-room Peppers Gladstone, designed by BSPN Architects and built by Mettle Projects, will adjoin the 60-room Mantra Hotel at Yaralla Sports Club, creating a dual-branded property that exemplifies Accor’s expertise in the Australian hotel market. Peppers Gladstone will offer a mix of accommodation options, including King Studio Rooms and Superior Two Bedroom Apartments, all equipped with modern amenities such as fully stocked kitchens, king-sized beds, large TVs with Chromecast, and complimentary non-alcoholic mini-bars. The combined Peppers and Mantra Gladstone hotels will accommodate over 150 guests, enhancing the city’s ability to host a variety of events, from conferences and expos to weddings.
This new addition to the Peppers brand joins a network of over 20 retreats, resorts, and hotels across Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia. Accor’s Queensland properties have also played a significant role in the company’s sustainability efforts, with a third of Accor’s 100 hotels receiving Sustainable Tourism Certification from Ecotourism Australia, marking a major achievement for the group in its commitment to sustainable hospitality..
