Port Douglas hotel room rates rise while Cairns remains relatively cheap
Port Douglas’s rates rose to an average $200, up 14 per cent from $176, third behind the Whitsundays ($244) and Sydney ($208), according to the latest Hotels.com Hotel Price Index.
Cairns was second most affordable at an average of $150 after Launceston ($133).
Hotels.com regional director Katherine Cole said with the cost of international travel creeping up for Australians and prices rising only modestly for hotel rooms nationally, domestic travel would have increased appeal for Australians for the remainder of the year as well as provide good value to international visitors.
“The latest HPI data shows that hotels in Australia represent excellent value both to Australians as well as to foreign travellers,” she said.
“While domestic hotels didn’t see a significant hike in prices, demand from international visitors and well as locals is on the increase.”
Ms Cole said Chinese travellers in particular were flocking to Australia in record numbers.
Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree executive officer Tara Bennett said the increase in the average price for a hotel room was “a positive sign that we are returning to the halcyon days of strong visitation with a mix of domestic and international visitors”.
“The future outlook is positive with the refurbishment of the Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas expected to see competitive rates that provide a good return to the industry.”
Sheraton sales and marketing director Nathan Gadd said over the past few months since the start of the hotel’s refurbishment there had been a 3 per cent increase in the average room rate compared with last year.
Queensland Hotels Association spokesman Nic O’Donnell said the Cairns region was “demonstrating great value for money for a hotel room and will continue to do so in the foreseeable future”.
“Demand has been very strong during this period (July-September) due to the continued weakening of the Australian dollar, the cooler temperatures in southern states and the impact of the cancelled Bali flights,” the Shangri-La hotel general manager said.
“The smart traveller will notice a range of attractive deals in the hotel sector between now and Christmas and should take advantage of this.’’
Source: The Cairns Post, Nick Dalton, 17th September 2015
Originally published as: Port Douglas hotel room rates rise while Cairns remains relatively cheap
