Thriving Visitor Economy Sees Adelaide Break Hotel Records

City hotels are celebrating nation leading occupancy levels in April. According to data analysed by the Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA), hotels saw an average occupancy of 78% throughout April 2024, making it the highest average of any capital city area in Australia and New Zealand.

Supported by two major sporting events and a full calendar of business events and conferences, occupancy peaked at 90.5% in the city on Friday 27 April during LIV Golf and sat at an average of 84% across the AFL Gather Round weekend (Thursday 4 to Sunday 7 April). High occupancy also led to the strongest April on record for monthly hotel revenue at $42.9 million, peaking at $2.7 million on the Saturday night of Gather Round – also a record for a single night.

Hotel revenue during Gather Round was 55% higher than last year ($9.5 million in 2024 vs $6.1 million in 2023) and 20% up during LIV Golf ($5.9 million in 2024 vs $4.9 million in 2023), reflective of both events’ growing crowds and wide appeal.

At the same time, a strong month of tourism has pushed overall activity levels in Adelaide during April beyond pre-COVID levels for the first time. Using AEDA’s modelled activity score – which draws on spending data, public transport usage, foot traffic and city parking data – overall activity in the city during April 2024 was 105% of April 2019.

“With such high calibre hotel offerings, great events, a bustling food and wine culture and Rundle Mall as our premier retail destination all on the doorstep of the world class Adelaide Oval, it’s no surprise the CBD has been a magnet for travellers,” said AEDA’s General Manager, Greg Ratsch. “Despite nine new hotels opening in the past four years and more to come, which significantly increases availability of hotel rooms, bookings continue to be strong and trend upwards to record levels.

“Major events in April, such as LIV Golf and AFL Gather Round, as well as a busy schedule of business events and conferences, helped draw in hundreds of thousands of visitors from interstate and overseas who soaked up all the city has to offer in terms of food, wine, shopping and culture.”

The nine new hotels to open in Adelaide since 2020 are Eos by SkyCity, Sofitel, Oval Hotel, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets, Majestic M Suites, Tom’s Court Hotel, Vibe Hotel Adelaide, and TRYP Hotel by Wyndham.