WA: Over supply, under demand
Tourism Minister Kim Hames says the Western Australian government needs to up the ante in order to keep visitors coming to the state, in order to fill the many hotel rooms that keep popping up.
According to a report from the ABC, Hames said a boost in the number of new hotels being built across Perth meant the state was well on its way to not just meet, but exceed its target of 1900 new rooms by 2020.
But he fears that without more action from the State government, the supply will outrun demand.
“The complaints before [were] that people could never get in, there were so many corporate travellers here because of our strength in the mining industry that it was really hard to find a bed and for that reason they tended to be more expensive,” he told ABC.
“Now the demand’s come off a bit there’s still strong occupancy rates, but a much broader and diverse occupancy, not just corporate travellers but tourists and visitors as well.”
The claims come as Hilton Worldwide announces it will open up a third DoubleTree by Hilton in the capital city in 2017.
The 205-room DoubleTree by Hilton Perth – Northbridge is due for completion in early 2017 and will be the first of the three to open in Western Australia.
Hilton Worldwide and SKS Group last year announced their partnership for two additional Western Australia hotels – DoubleTree by Hilton Perth – Waterfront and DoubleTree by Hilton Perth – Fremantle.
Hilton Worldwide Australasia’s vp of operations Paul Hutton added that Hilton Worldwide’s expanding presence in Perth only adds to the growing city.
“There is no doubt that Perth has seen a recent transformation. At the heart of this, Northbridge is a vibrant suburb where arts, culture and entertainment come together,” Hutton said.
As per the ABC, Australian Hotels Association’s chief executive Bradley Woods said while the level of investment was a sign of things looking up in the industry, there was a risk of oversupply if demand did not grow as the mining sector slowed.
Woods said that interstate tourism was the most important growth market for WA, and the money being pumped into this avenue needed to be doubled.
“The sheer number of seats that are available from the east coast on aeroplanes is substantially higher than it is from the international market,” Woods told ABC.
“It’s the quickest, fastest and most efficient way of bringing new tourists and visitors into Western Australia.
“We’ve got to see Western Australia promoted on television in the eastern states, we’ve got to see Western Australia promoted in newspapers and magazines, on billboards and that’s just not at the level that it needs to be now.”
Hames said the government had increased the amount of money it spent on marketing, but admitted a lot more interstate focus needed to be applied to its strategy.
“Our interstate market isn’t as strong as we would like it. So we will focus a lot on that in our next batch of money,” Hames said.
DoubleTree by Hilton Perth – Northbridge will be located at 100 James Street, Northbridge.
Positioned just north of the Perth CBD, Northbridge is home to Perth’s entertainment district. Alongside its 205 rooms, the hotel will feature, a restaurant and bar, 400 square metres of event space, a business centre, gym and outdoor pool.
Latest News
Sydney gets excited for Vivid at the city’s favourite entertainment venues
Get lit! Well maybe not the kiddies, but there is a heap of bright and colourful events on at Vivid Sydney 2024.
Novotel Cabramatta launch reveals the start of new hotel and F&B partnership
Brothers will offer hotels bang for their buck in Sydney's booming southwest.
Getting married? W Melbourne has three new packages perfect for the special day
The 'W' themed lights and settings are optional, we hope!
SKYE Suites gets behind Australian Fashion Week, partners with Shark Beauty
SKYE Suites has partnered with IMG, the owner and operator of Australian Fashion Week (AFW) as the official accommodation partner for the fourth year in a row. This year SKYE Suites will again host international fashion buyers, designers, and models and are delighted to have Shark Beauty, an innovator in the personal care industry with their […]
Western Sydney Tourism unveils fresh board ahead of ’26 airport opening
'Connect-Stay-Experience', that's the Western Sydney's tourism taskforce's motto. We sort of prefer 'West Is Best'!
From Olympians to mindset coaches, Helloworld’s OMC conference wraps in style
Say hello to a good time and make sure you're at 2025's edition!
2024 Green Revolution Summit brings travel heavyweights into green fuel discussion
It's almost like the organisers read our article on sustainable fuel this week.
Aussies a hit on the conference floor for IPW 2024
Diana Ross on opening night, Keanu's Dogstar band and a dozen lobster rolls. All in a week's work at IPW 2024.
Premium hotel operator ERDI launches it’s own academy in heart of Melbourne
ERDI expects to be shaken not stirred with the launch of its ERDI Academy in its Melbourne hotels.
Tropical North Queensland action-packed events calendar for adventure enthusiasts
Hanging out for that next dose of adrenaline? It's time for you to head north!
Fiji Tourism Exchange 2024 opens with a vibrant ceremony at Sofitel Fiji Resort, Denarau
Two days in Fiji! If you didn't attend this conference we're sure you've got FOMO.
$230m joint Novotel & ibis Styles Melbourne Airport hotel prepares to open
Dear all business travellers, you're Melbourne experience just got a whole lot better.
IPW 2024: 960,000 Aussies took the trek to the Land of the Free last year
Nearly 6,000 travel industry reps descend on LA. Thankfully for all of their bosses, it's not in Vegas.
Travel DAZE Exec Agenda REVEALED: top execs to speak on airline competition
As the industry reels from Bonza's implosion, it is more important than ever to ask the big questions.
Skroo says Rex will need deep pockets to fill lost Bonza slots
The door is open for Rex, and anyone else who wants to launch a regional Aussie airline...
Hilton Expands Presence in North Queensland with the signing of Hilton Garden Inn Townsville
Heading to a North Queensland Cowboys clash? Hilton Garden Inn Townsville is set to open, but not until 2026.
Amy Poehler joins Vivid Sydney event
Oh Joy! Hit comedian Amy Poehler will make an emotional appearance at the Sydney Opera House for Vivid.
Emirates unveils future plans with new hub at Al Maktoum International Airport
We've also been looking into our future. It involves plenty of famils, we hope.
Two thirds of Australians support introduction of tourism tax, survey reveals
Can you guess which generation was the most outraged at the news? Hint: It is exactly who you think!
“The consumer really just wanted more classic reward availability” – customers underwhelmed by Qantas FF shakeup
All this consumer wants is to sit behind someone that doesn't push their seat back to near-horizontal levels.
Aussie travellers warned of ‘significant’ visa shifts in destinations including Chile, US and Vietnam
To be honest are biggest advice for having a layover in the US, is just don't.
Profile: Delta CEO Ed Bastian
Bastian says the airline business isn't for the faint hearted. We're sure Alan Joyce would agree!
Final Call: Travel DAZE Exec early birds are about to expire
Much like the auctioneer at the hottest sale of the year, we're giving you one more chance to jump at this deal!
Forget the weekend! Experience Gold Coast launches mid-week travel campaign
Your boss might be a bit bothered if you jet off mid-week, but you'll be the envy of all of your Instagram followers.
Victorian Tourism Industry Council warns of losing tourism dollars to NSW & QLD
Trendy cafe's hidden in CBD laneways can only get so many tourism dollars, clearly!
AIME 2024 rustles up $330m for APAC economy
This figure is a 65 per cent increase on 2023, much alike The Nibbler staff's alcohol consumption.
Amex GBT to purchase CWT for $871m
It's big deals like this that get a firm handshake - hence the sore hands over at the CWT and Amex GBT offices.
Boeing cleanout: CEO, chair to go as safety crisis plagues the manufacturer
CEOs are falling thick and fast these days. We should have started up a bingo game with their headshots in the office.
Star boss resigns, admits retaining NSW casino licence unlikely under his leadership
The CEO resigned after 18 months in the role. 'Another one bites the dust' rumoured to be heard playing in Pyrmont.
Corporate Traveller swings amateur golfers around the globe for World Golf Competition
How're your golf skills? Consider yourself a Tiger Woods or often get quadruple bogeys? We take after the latter.
Corporate travellers to spend big on Melbourne F1 despite financial pressures
Part of the attraction is sick days after the event as corporate travellers suffer creaked necks and blown eardrums.
Bonza officially kicks off Gold Coast-Darwin route
The Flying Purple Thumb is back at it with another route. We swear, we're going to make this nickname stick!
South West Sydney Tourism launches Western Sydney Tourism Awards
Penrith's 3 consecutive NRL premierships wasn't enough? The people of Western Sydney could fill the trophy cabinet more!
Hotels vs. Airbnb: Industry leaders at odds over who should pay accommodation levy
There's not as much gore in the Hotels vs. Airbnb saga as there is in Alien vs. Predator, but it's just as thrilling!
Singapore Airlines revamps premium economy with new menu, amenity kit
Felt Singapore Airlines was lacking "the sauce" (as the kids say). Bolster belief in the carrier's je na sais quoi here.
Business Events Adelaide set for 20th Destination SA event
Destination SA turns 20! Hopefully it's not celebrated with vodka cruisers and vapes like most 20th birthdays.