The importance of key events during Tasmania’s winter period has been highlighted following the release of the Tasmanian Hospitality Association’s July 2024 Occupancy Report.
In a positive bounce back from the relatively low June figure (56.76 per cent) – which was the first time in three years statewide occupancy fell below 60 per cent and the lowest in a decade – July’s 62.91 per cent was a welcome relief for the state’s accommodation sector.
It marks a recovery of over six per cent from the challenging month of June and also represents a year-on-year increase of 1.06 per cent compared to July 2023.
While the scaled-back Dark Mofo impacted visitor numbers in June, the THA attributes the positive July shift to a series of well-attended winter events which attracted people to Tasmania during a traditionally quieter time of the year.
Notable events included the Festival of Voices, Bicheno Beams, the final Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival, a high-stakes AFL clash and Hobart’s hosting of the Australian Hockey Men’s Masters tournament.
Tasmanian Hospitality Association chief executive Steve Old highlighted the role these events play in sustaining the state’s hospitality and tourism sectors during the colder months.
“Tasmania’s winter events are a lifeline for our hospitality industry,” he said. “They not only drive occupancy rates but also showcase our state’s unique culture, creativity, and natural beauty to both domestic and international visitors.”
“Events like the Festival of Voices, Bicheno Beams and the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival create ripples that are felt across the entire hospitality sector.
“From accommodation providers to local eateries, the benefits are widespread. This July, we saw how vital it is to maintain and expand our winter event offerings to ensure the industry remains robust year-round.”
Courtesy of the three-week Men’s Masters Hockey tournament, which saw more than 4000 competitors in age groups ranging from 34+ to 80+ feature at the Tasmanian Hockey Centre, southern occupancy for July was 71.85 per cent, which was just shy of a four per cent increase from 12 months ago.
The north saw 66.77 per cent of available rooms for the month filled – an increase of 6.47 per cent from July 2023 – while the north west figure of 41.55 per cent was 3.46 per cent lower than a year ago. East coast occupancy sat at 46.74 per cent.
“Despite the need for an extra layer or two, winter in Tasmania is a magical time, and with the right mix of events and experiences, we can ensure that it remains a vibrant period for tourism,” Old said.
“Of course, the current economic climate continues to challenge our industry, but The THA will never stop advocating for the support and growth of these essential winter events.”
The median room rate for the month was $201.90, while the average yield came in at $127.01. These figures represent increases of $18 and nearly $14 respectively from July 2023.
