Visitor economy returns to pre-COVID19 levels

After an action-packed April full of events, festivals and sport, Newcastle’s visitor economy has seen a significant increase, with the accommodation sector returning to pre-COVID19 occupancy levels.

Newcastle SailFest Photo: Salty Dingo @saltydingomedia

WSL Newcastle Cup Photo: WSL Matt Dunbar

NewRun Photo: Lee Pigott, Pappigo Images

Rip Curl Surfing Championships at Merewether Beach, Newcastle. Picture by Peter Lorimer.

WhatsOn in Newcastle Launches (front) Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen and Councillor Carol Duncan with (rear left) Live Music Grant recipients Monique Humphreys and Kodi Twiner (who are organising the Prickly Pear event at The Base Health), Beach Burrito Company – Newcastle Venue Manager Henry Smale, and (rear right) Newcastle Seafood Festival organiser Lynne Hopson with Newcastle Fisherman’s Co-op General Manager Rob Gauta

City of Newcastle’s ‘Event Packed April’ was led by the World Surf League (WSL) Newcastle Cup along with SailFest Newcastle Regatta, Newcastle Seafood Festival, Newcastle Food Month, AoN Women’s University Rugby 7s and NewRun.

According to the Australian Accommodation Monitor Reports, the first fortnight in April saw occupancy levels sit between 80 to 90%.

The average daily room rate increased by $52 per night, showing a 29% uplift in room revenue compared to the same period in 2019.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the newly released data portrayed Newcastle’s significant opportunity for event-led economic recovery and long-term growth.

“City of Newcastle’s April events calendar returned impressive results for Newcastle’s tourism and hospitality businesses still on the road to recovery,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Pre-COVID, our city’s hotels, once filled mid-week with corporate business travellers, saw their occupancy levels sitting at 80-90% again most days, thanks to the WSL Newcastle Cup and the City’s bumper April events calendar.”

New hotels are currently under construction including, Doma’s Little National Hotel, Iris Capital’s QT Hotel and the five-star Kingsley in the former City Administration Centre

The historic Newcastle Post Office will also receive upgrades with plans underway to develop it into a conference and function space.

“With a fresh injection of new hotel supply, the City’s ability to pitch for major events will only boost its appeal as a host city and position Newcastle ahead of other destinations,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We are in the early stages of rolling out Newcastle’s newly adopted Destination Management Plan, designed to reposition the city as a premier tourism destination with a strong focus on events, natural assets and cultural heritage, with a raft of initiatives and projects designed to grow our visitor economy and increase visitor spend.”

_{Information source: Media release, May 5, City of Newcastle}