New $60m hotel? Adelaide doesn’t need it, says South Australian Tourism boss Ward Tilbrook
An image released as part of the Adelaide Airport 30-year vision plan. Supplied. Source: Supplied
THE state’s peak independent tourism body has questioned plans for a new $60 million hotel at Adelaide Airport.
South Australian Tourism Industry Council chief executive Ward Tilbrook is not convinced there is enough demand for the hotel.
“Outside of March, it could be argued Adelaide hotel occupancy levels wouldn’t warrant additional beds — particularly after recent hotel developments,” Mr Tilbrook said.
He said an airport hotel needed to be “a viable proposition” that would not take business from other hotels.
An image released as part of the Adelaide Airport 30-year vision plan. Supplied
He said unlike other capital cities Adelaide Airport already had accommodation options relatively close by, such as in the city and at Glenelg.
Public submissions on Adelaide Airport’s plan to develop a hotel next to its terminals close on Monday.
It would be at least six storeys tall and include 160-265 rooms, meeting and function rooms and restaurants.
An image released as part of the Adelaide Airport 30-year vision plan. Supplied
Holdfast Bay Council’s submission on the plan broadly supports the development.
It wants the hotel to focus on “fly-in, fly-out” travellers to limit competition with Glenelg hotels.
A council report on the project says the airport anticipates construction would start in mid-2016, with completion by early 2018.
However, Oaks Hotels & Resorts, which owns two hotels in Glenelg and three other properties in SA, welcomes the proposal.
“Any new development in South Australia brings its usual criticisms, however, we see the
proposed Adelaide Airport hotel as a positive step for the state’s tourism, resulting in renewed
competition among hoteliers vying for business,” Oaks sales general manager Daniel Csortan said.
Adelaide Airport’s general manager Brenton Cox said there was more demand for hotel accommodation because of an increase in interstate and international visitors.
“Adelaide Airport’s passenger numbers have grown substantially in recent years, and a significant percentage of these passengers are business travellers who are looking for the convenience of a close hotel to make it easier to catch early morning flights the following day,” Mr Cox said.
The hotel would form part of a $1 billion expansion of the airport — to be completed over the next five years — which the Federal Government approved in January.
Source: news.com.au - 20th March 2015
