Media release – Tasmanian Hospitality Association, 5 November 2024
Soft start to spring for occupancy operators
Tasmanian accommodation providers have seen a slight dip to the start of spring compared to the past decade as the ongoing affects from a tough winter period continue.
The Tasmanian Hospitality Association’s September 2024 Occupancy Report showed 67.94 per cent of rooms across the state were booked, which was an increase of 6.85 per cent on the last month of winter.
However, in comparison to previous Septembers, the figures weren’t as promising. This year was a 2.4 per cent decrease on 12 months ago, the first September to not reach 70 per cent occupancy since 2017 (outside pandemic-affected years of 2019 and 2020) and the lowest figure for the month since 2014 (63.11 per cent).
“These figures continue to prove just how challenging not only this winter has been for our operators, but the last six months as whole for the state,” Tasmanian Hospitality Association chief executive Steve Old said.
“We are currently in a tough economic climate, a lot of people have less money for discretionary spending and we know it is often the hospitality sector which suffers from this.”
Breaking down the date regionally, the north was the strongest performing, seeing an increase in occupancy compared to the same period last year with its 73.26 per cent figure up 2.55 per cent. Although 75.23 per cent of rooms in the south were filled, this was down 3.74 per cent from 12 months ago.
The east coast (53.52 per cent) saw a marginal increase of 0.73 per cent while the north west coast was down 3.29 per cent, with only 48.6 per cent of available rooms booked. These figures underscore the importance of targeted initiatives to bolster tourism in these areas, particularly through off-peak events and attractions.
“Winter events and experiences are essential to balancing Tasmania’s tourism load and supporting our accommodation providers during slower periods,” Mr Old said.
“It was great to see the announcement last week of the return of a full program for Dark Mofo in 2025, as this festival is a major drawcard for interstate travellers to Tasmania and hopefully will boost numbers next year.
“We also applaud the state government on recent grant announcements, especially the Hospitality Business Boost Grants Program which will allow operators to invest in activities that will attract visitors to their regions, as well as yesterday’s announcement on the new tourism campaign encouraging and inspiring locals to consider their own backyard when looking to take a holiday.”
The statewide average room rate for September was $206.60, while the average yield came in at $140.36.
The occupancy report can be viewed here.
