Pricey hotels losing race

Third of tourist beds still available for Games

PRICE-GOUGING accommodation providers have been warned they risk missing the Commonwealth Games boat, with a third of the city’s tourist beds still up for grabs less than nine weeks from the event.

The latest survey of official accommodation data shows the Gold Coast’s forward bookings for April 4-15 are running at about 66.5 per cent occupancy, only 5 per cent short of the city’s yearly average.

Speaking at a Commonwealth Games briefing for members and traders, Gold Coast Tourism boss Martin Winter said travellers were less susceptible to paying “unrealistic prices” than the last time Australia hosted the event.

“Research from other megaevents tells us (the occupancy rate) is common at this stage of the visitor’s decision-making process and properties will fill as the event approaches,” he said.

“But what we also know is those properties that continue to set unrealistic prices are likely to miss out completely and remain vacant.

“Today’s travellers have digital access to pricing that was not available when Melbourne held the ... Games (in 2006) and now they know what is and isn’t value.”

Gold Coast Tourism, the State Government and GOLDOC commissioned industry data body STR to analyse a cross-section of the accommodation sector’s forward bookings for the Games.

Mr Winter said the launch of the final stage of Games marketing in early March would play a key role in boosting numbers, particularly in the South-East Queensland and drive markets.

“Our message … is the accommodation is there but you may have to look at different styles, locations and even date ranges,” he said.

“We expect demand to intensify and the right-priced accommodation is being picked up quickly.”

Dreamtime Resorts managing director Garry McKenzie said he was confident of filling his seven Gold Coast properties before the Games.

“We are in a comfortable position because we managed our inventory well,” he said.

“We’re not charging exorbitant prices because our strategy has been to fill our rooms and get bums in beds ... the way I look at it is if we can run high occupancy with good yield, then we have run a good race.”

Mr Winter said rentals on websites such as Airbnb and Stayz accounted for about 4700 of the city’s 38,000 rooms.

“According to Airbnb, the current occupancy rate is around 20 per cent,” he said.

As well as Gold Coast Tourism, yesterday’s presentation saw about 320 traders receive insights from key Games players including GOLDOC, Queensland Police, Get Set for the Games and Gold Coast Airport.