Travel accommodation in Australia - statistics & facts
Australia’s travel and tourism industry is an integral part of the country’s economy; it represents a significant contributor to Australia’s GDP and is one of its largest employment providers. Hotels and other travel accommodation, such as hostels, camping sites, and Airbnb rentals, are a core element of and key earner for the tourism industry.
The gradual rise in international visitors to Australia witnessed in 2022 has been critical in boosting hotel performance. Nonetheless, international visitor numbers still have a way to go to reach pre-covid levels. Therefore, the hotel market may still need some time to rebound fully, as it is highly dependent on tourist demand. One of Australia’s major capital cities, Melbourne, is still lagging somewhat behind, with the city’s hotel occupancy rate and revenue per available room the lowest across all major hotel markets in Australia as of December 2022.
Short-term holiday rentals, such as Airbnb apartments, are another highly booked accommodation type for domestic and international tourists in Australia. One-bedroom Airbnbs in Perth and Darwin had the highest Airbnb occupancy rates across Australia’s major cities in 2022. The leading incentives for Australians to book a holiday home were no hidden or additional service costs, as well as the accommodation being clean and tidy.
Has Australia’s hotel industry recovered?
In the year prior to the coronavirus pandemic taking hold, the majority of hotels nationwide had occupancy rates of around 80 percent. In 2022, the country’s hotel industry performance recovered considerably, with hotel occupancy rates nearly back to pre-pandemic levels. The average daily rate of hotel rooms outperformed pre-pandemic levels across all major Australian cities, with the highest average daily room rate recorded on Australia’s Gold Coast.The gradual rise in international visitors to Australia witnessed in 2022 has been critical in boosting hotel performance. Nonetheless, international visitor numbers still have a way to go to reach pre-covid levels. Therefore, the hotel market may still need some time to rebound fully, as it is highly dependent on tourist demand. One of Australia’s major capital cities, Melbourne, is still lagging somewhat behind, with the city’s hotel occupancy rate and revenue per available room the lowest across all major hotel markets in Australia as of December 2022.
Apart from hotels, what other types of travel accommodation are popular across Australia?
Camping or caravanning is popular among tourists due to Australia’s favorable climate and abundance of nature and open spaces. In 2021, New South Wales was the leading state for domestic caravan and camping trips taken across the country, with trips most common during warmer months.Short-term holiday rentals, such as Airbnb apartments, are another highly booked accommodation type for domestic and international tourists in Australia. One-bedroom Airbnbs in Perth and Darwin had the highest Airbnb occupancy rates across Australia’s major cities in 2022. The leading incentives for Australians to book a holiday home were no hidden or additional service costs, as well as the accommodation being clean and tidy.
