DRIVEN by strong inbound growth from domestic and international markets, Melbourne is beefing up its hotel infrastructure to cater to the swelling stream of visitors.
The Victorian capital enjoyed solid growth in domestic (up seven per cent) and international visitors (up 3.6 per cent) for the year ending June 2012. Dominant growth markets included China (arrivals up 27 per cent), the US (up five per cent) and New Zealand (up 3.1 per cent).
“Inbound markets from Asia, particularly China, are expected to drive growth of international visitor demand,” a Tourism Victoria spokesperson said.
“While Melbourne has experienced an increased supply of room stock over the last few years, it is expected that additional hotels would be required to meet this growing demand.”
Room occupancy in the Victorian capital, which absorbed more than 2,000 new hotel rooms from 2005 to 2010, is expected to hover around the 80 per cent mark for several years.
Ovolo Hotel Melbourne opened in September in the CBD (TTG Asia e-Daily, February 20, 2012), adding 43 studio apartments and luxury penthouses to the city’s room inventory.
Since 2011, eight major hotel refurbishments have taken place in Melbourne. In South Yarra, the five-star The Como Melbourne completed a multi-million dollar makeover of its 107 guestrooms in August, while the 112-unit Fraser Place Melbourne was renovated in June. The 164-room Mercure Melbourne Treasury Gardens underwent a A$4 million (US$4.15 million) upgrading this month.
Meanwhile, an upgrade of Melbourne’s Avalon Airport to an international gateway is expected to start in 2013.
