The pulling power of Tiger
MELBOURNE – Melbourne’s hotels last week enjoyed their best week of 2009, thanks to a Tiger Woods led tourism boom.
Accor, the largest hotel operator in Melbourne, reported that its 11 central business district hotels were full from Thursday night through to Sunday, and even Accor’s suburban hotels were at capacity on a couple of the nights.
Accor’s Melbourne CBD hotels ran at 95.64 percent last week, eclipsing performances during the Melbourne Cup and Australian Grand Prix.
The week represented an 11 percent growth in occupancy compared to the corresponding week of 2008 – despite the prevailing economic situation and a large increase in room supply in Melbourne.
Such was the demand for accommodation, that the Mercure Melbourne Spring Street recorded five nights in a row of 100 percent occupancy – the first time this has occurred in 2009.
“Our car-parks were full of interstate number plates and we have had guests book in from Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok – all came to Melbourne specifically to see Tiger play,†said Accor’s regional manager Victoria, Scott Boyes.
He added, “After a really challenging 10 months, we have a lot to thank Tiger for fuelling such a strong recovery in Victoria’s tourism and hotels sector.
“Unlike other cities in Australia, Melbourne has had a major increase in hotel supply over the past year which, combined with the global financial slowdown, has meant that it has been a tough year for the industry.
“You could say that Tiger has got us out of the bunker – at least for November.â€
Ian Jarrett
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