New data released by Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA) revealed Adelaide hotels were major beneficiaries of a visitor boom during April 2024, in large part thanks to major events held in the city.

Average hotel occupancy for the month of April was 78 per cent in Adelaide according to AEDA, which sources its data via data intelligence firm STR.

This trumped all other cities in Australia, with Perth coming in at second with an occupancy rate of 76.2 per cent in April 2024, and Sydney at 73.6 per cent.

Hobart had an occupancy rate of 72.6 per cent, Brisbane was at 69.5 per cent, Melbourne at 67.8 per cent and ACT at 66.1 per cent, while Darwin hotels were the least occupied at 55 per cent.

AEDA said hotel occupancy in Adelaide peaked at 90.5 per cent on Friday 27 April during LIV Golf, and sat at an average of 84 per cent across the AFL Gather Round weekend from 4 to 7 April.

The high rate of occupancy translated into the strongest April on record for hotel revenue in Adelaide at $42.9 million. This peaked at $2.7 million on the Saturday night of Gather round, which AEDA said was a record for hotel revenue on a single night in Adelaide.

Revenue was also well up on April 2023 levels, with revenue generated during Gather Round 55 per cent more than last year, and up 20 per cent during LIV Golf.

AEDA general manager Greg Ratsch welcomed the news.

“With such high calibre hotel offerings, great events, a bustling food and wine culture and Rundle Mall as our premier retail destination all on the doorstep of the world class Adelaide Oval, it’s no surprise the CBD has been a magnet for travellers,” he said.

“Despite nine new hotels opening in the past four years and more to come, which significantly increases availability of hotel rooms, bookings continue to be strong and trend upwards to record levels.

“Major events in April, such as LIV Golf and AFL Gather Round, as well as a busy schedule of business events and conferences, helped draw in hundreds of thousands of visitors from interstate and overseas who soaked up all the city has to offer in terms of food, wine, shopping and culture.”

Tourism minister Zoe Bettison said the occupancy rate in April demonstrated “why the state government continues to back blockbuster events such as LIV Golf Adelaide and AFL Gather Round”.

“The benefits of strong hotel occupancy are felt right across the tourism and hospitality industries, with the boost to visitation helping generate valuable dollars for our restaurants, bars, and cafes,” she said.

“I have no doubt the thousands of visitors who enjoyed our vibrant city in April have gone on to be advocates for our state, helping to add South Australia to the bucket list of many potential travellers.”