Australian hotels are getting set for a bumpy ride this April as solid leisure bookings over the Easter holidays are tempered by a downturn in business travel.
Accor chief operating officer Simon McGrath confirmed that April was “softer than usual” as the spread of bank holidays over several weeks of the month disrupted corporate bookings.
Last year, disruptions had been minimised by Easter and Anzac Day both falling in the same week.
“With Easter, the school holidays and ANZAC Day it means a very disjointed month for corporate travel and business events,” McGrath told Travel Today.
However, he reported strong leisure bookings in metropolitan areas as holiday activities such as Sydney’s Royal Easter Show acted as drawcards.
“We have put into market a number of targeted leisure promotions aimed at replacing the corporate market with leisure business during April and so far these have been successful in boosting occupancy in most major centres,” he said.
Mantra Group chief executive Bob East also admitted growth over the period was “not miraculous”, with April expected to finish $1.5 million up on last year, compared with around $2 million year on year growth during recent months.
“CBD bookings are dragging things back,” he told Travel Today.
However, the month’s decline had been offset by robust bookings at its resort properties, with people opting for local holidays over the shorter break.
“We don’t have that same struggle with outbound over Easter,” he said.
The group’s Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast properties were among those expected to benefit, with occupancies set to exceed 90%.
“There are still rooms available, but it’s getting tight,” he said.
