Qld tourism triumph as some hotels beat pre-pandemic levels

Queensland’s biggest hotel brand is recording demands stronger than pre-pandemic levels, in a vote of confidence for the industry.

Queensland’s biggest hotel brand is flying high, with occupancy levels outshining figures from before the pandemic.

Accor, which also runs brands such as Mantra, Novotel and Mercure, has 96 hotels across the state, and is recording demand stronger than 2019 levels.

The result is further good news of the industry’s recovery over the past 12 months, with Queensland tourism last year recording its biggest ever result, generating a record $30 billion for the economy, albeit without the help of some of our most important international markets.

There were predictions this year would see a downturn on the Australian domestic front as those starved of international travel headed overseas, but exorbitant airfares, a weak Aussie dollar and cost of living pressure are seeing many forego international holidays in favour of staying closer to home.

That would be further good news for companies such as Accor, which has seen incredible results across the brand’s stable of Queensland properties.

Millicent Van der Verde, 25, laps up Novotel South Bank. Picture: Lachie Millard

In Brisbane to visit some of the company’s Queensland hotels including the Novotel Brisbane South Bank, Accor Pacific CEO Sarah Derry said the Sunshine State – and the River City in particular – were going from strength to strength.

“It is particularly pleasing to see the recovery of our Brisbane hotels, even without a full return of corporate travel,” she said.

“Brisbane has done a great job of presenting itself as a vibrant destination that really knows how to put on a great event.

“Our hotels were at near-capacity during the NRL Magic Round, which was reported to have attracted some 130,000 attendees, delivering $28 million to the economy, with many attendees coming from interstate and overseas.”

Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Brett Fraser said signs of the continuing recovery were encouraging.

“It is fantastic to hear stories of triumph emerging from our operators and iconic tourism businesses,” he said.

“Queensland’s tourism sector is working tirelessly to not only regain the successes we knew pre-pandemic, but we are also striving to surpass those numbers.”

Brisbane has proved a bright spot on the tourism landscape. Picture: Lumina Group

However, he said there was still a way to go before all corners of the state’s tourism industry were firing on all cylinders.

“Unfortunately, tourism’s resurgence is not being felt equally across the state. Many operators are experiencing a softening of the market,” he said.

“Over the last two years, our state has reaped the benefits of record-breaking domestic visitor numbers.

These numbers are now easing, and we need to see the return of international guests.”

Ms Derry backed his comments, saying there needed to be a genuine focus in luring foreign markets back to Queensland.

Brisbane Airport has restored all but six international routes which were in operation before the pandemic, though some are yet to reach the capacity or frequency of 2019 levels.

Parts of Asia, in particular China and Japan, have also been slow to return to Queensland.

“Rebuilding international travel has to be the future priority for the state,” said Ms Derry.

“The reality is that Queensland is unlikely to see the inbound holiday market recover to 2019 levels for at least another year, if not longer, but at least the flow of international students, backpackers and skilled temporary workers is increasing the State’s employment resources.”