Visitors pay less to stay

DANAELLA WIVELL per available room was up 13.1 per cent from $80.93 to $91.51.

In comparison, an average stay in Cairns was $157.63, up from $148.91, while revenue per available room was up to $111 from $101.39.

Data from the Hotel Price Index showed Palm Cove was still the fourth-most expensive destination to spend a night in Australia.

But The Palms at Palm Cove owner-operator Bruce Bramhill said the trend for cheaper hotel stays was bound to continue in the seaside hamlet.

“People are starting to see they can get better value for their money spent,” he said.

“People no longer feel like they have to say they stayed at five-star hotels.

“They know they can stay at a three or four-star hotel for the same cost as two nights at a five-star hotel.”

TTNQ chief executive Pip Close said the popular Far Northern resort location also experienced a significant occupancy increase during the Chinese New Year period.

“Occupancy across Tropical North Queensland was up 5.6 per cent to 68.6 per cent and the revenue per available room also grew across the region, up 17.9 per cent to $106 a night,” she said.

“Across the Cairns area there was 86.1 per cent occupancy, up 4.6 per cent from the previous February, while Palm Cove showed the greatest in- crease with a 19.3 per cent boost to occupancy bringing it to 53.1 per cent.

“Our operators’ experiences are backed by Cairns Airport figures for February showing international passengers increased by 21 per cent to 60,910 and domestic passengers ... by 9 per cent to 305,200.”