‘We didn’t gouge and we’re quiet’
SOME Gold Coast accommodation operators – disappointed by Commonwealth Games and lead-up bookings – are hitting back at criticism suggesting anyone suffering had price gouged.
With less than two weeks to go until the sporting extravaganza’s April 4 kick-off, Gold Coast Tourism has revealed occupancy sits at 70.6 but anticipate a late surge in demand.
On the bright side, about a million tickets have been sold, 25,000 rooms booked and at least 600,000 visitors are expected.
But the 70.6 per cent figure, presented to Gold Coast city councillors earlier this week, prompted shock from some while other city leaders were confident of last-minute bookings.
In yesterday’s Bulletin, the city’s largest accommodation provider Mantra Group said its 23 properties were almost at capacity for the Games while Village Roadshow heavyweight Bikash Randhawa said Sea World’s resort booking were “exceptional” at above 80 per cent.
Mr Randhawa said some operators needed to look at their prices, hit out at early price gouging by some and they “can’t blame anyone else for their outcome”.
Quiet accommodation providers yesterday told the Bulletin their prices were reasonable but interest had been lower than normal for this time of year.
Judy Stephens, Surfers Paradise-based manager of the Baronnet apartments, said the lead-up now was “dead” while Easter and Commonwealth Games bookings were “OK”.
“We are dead now, everyone is dead now – we all talk to each other,” she said. “Our rates are not greedy, we’ve never been greedy.
“In 13 years I have never seen it so quiet,” she said, believing the lead-up period had been impacted by concern about Games preparations, traffic and congestion.
During the Games period, she had 20 apartments booked with six remaining, dubbing it “OK”.
Biggera Waters-based Bayview Beach Holiday Apartments manager Laurie Buckley said he didn’t believe his rates had been excessive but had little response for Games bookings.
“We aren’t even getting inquiries, absolutely none,” he said. “If you get inquiries but no bookings, you understand that it’s because you’re too expensive.”
They started offering twobedroom apartments in the 32-strong complex at $450$500 a night and dropped it to $300 but were still getting no bites, he said.
The property was right on the marathon route, offering perfect vantage points to watch the event, he said.
“We are hoping it will come good in the next weeks,” Mr Buckley said.
Gold Coast Tourism yesterday released figures showing the city had roughly 36,000 rooms and 80,000 beds, meaning about 10,000 rooms remain vacant for the Games period. Average occupancy on the Gold Coast for April is 71 per cent while average occupancy for the Gold Coast last year sat at 72.4 per cent.
A bumper summer such as January just gone sees occupancy peak at 84 per cent.