Perth hotels offer more value

Hotels in Perth have become better value than those in Sydney, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics annual Tourist Accommodation survey released today.

The annual survey measures room rates and occupancy for all hotels, motels, and serviced apartments with 15 rooms or more in Australia.

In 2013-14, the Perth tourism region had an average room rate of $199, compared with Sydney’s $193, some of the highest room rates in Australia.

More recently, Perth room rates have become competitive on price; by 2015-16, average room rates dropped to $188 compared with Sydney’s $203.

According to the latest data from Tourism WA occupancy rates were at 79.4 per cent at the end of June down from the peak of 90.4 per cent in November 2015. 

The ABS survey also revealed that over the past two financial years Perth also increased its accommodation establishments by nine per cent, with totals rising from 125 to 136 establishments - an additional 580 rooms.

Tourism Council WA chief executive Evan Hall said an additional 1,880 rooms were currently under construction.

“We suffered from hotel shortages during the resources boom,” he said.

“Now we have more new rooms, refurbished rooms and better value rooms than ever before.

“While cities like Sydney have seen big increases in hotel room rates while Perth is becoming more and more competitive.”

In addition to building more rooms, Mr Hall said Perth needed to be marketed as a holiday, events, and study destination, to drive up occupancy and create more jobs in the sector.

“With our new hotel rooms we can win back leisure tourists and create jobs, however the industry needs consistent state investment in marketing and events,” he said.

Mr Hall said an addition $20 million per annum for destination marketing and events could create 4,100 new jobs in WA.