| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 19/06/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 57 |
| Copyright: Other |
Sydney Olympics by Linsey McNeill
Getting ready: the Olympic Stadium is looking good but hotel prices may fall after the eventExpanding markets tipped to fill new hotels after Olympics
Hoteliers are unperturbed by increases in competition
SYDNEY hotel prices are expected to fall once the Olympics have finished, as so many new properties have opened for the Games.By September this year, no fewer than 19 three to five-star hotels will have opened over a 12-month period, which will significantly increase the city’s bedstock.
Fifteen hotels have opened since September last year, including Le Meridien, The Westin, and Pier One Parkroyal. Another property, L’Otel, has reopened following a total refurbishment.
Another four new hotels will be ready for business within the next three months. Most of the new sites are centrally located, and will be competing for the same clientele.
There are also new hostels for backpackers, new budget hotels, and even additional caravan parks opening for the domestic market.
Although all Sydney properties are full for the Olympics, Tourism New South Wales regional director for Europe Stuart Rigg said the extra competition would probably push rates down after the Games.
“It is impossible for us to say how much rates will come down, but you would imagine that with all the extra hotels opening Sydney will become more competitive,” said Rigg.
He said hoteliers attending the Australian Travel Mart in Sydney were unconcerned about the extra competition, insisting that business after the Olympics was still strong.
One of the initiatives Tourism New South Wales is taking to fill the extra beds is to encourage visitors from the UK to stay longer in Sydney.
At the moment, the average stay is only two to three days, whereas the tourist board believes the city has enough to keep visitors entertained for at least a week.
A Tourism New South Wales spokeswoman said that its recent survey showed that 84% of visitors to Sydney and New South Wales said they didn’t have enough time to see everything, and only 6% said they felt they had seen enough.
“There are a lot of new attractions and new tours which have only recently been introduced, such as the night climb up Sydney Harbour Bridge, which warrant people staying longer,” said the spokeswoman.
“All these new attractions are competing with the traditional attractions such as the Opera House, and people often don’t have enough time to visit them all.”
hotel check
Pier One Parkroyal,Sydney Harbour
Location:Pier One is in a great spot for sightseers. At historic Dawes Point, adjacent to Sydney Harbour Bridge and The Rocks, it enjoys magnificent views of the bridge and Walsh Bay.
Bar/restaurant:Harbour Watch seafood restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner while the Hickson One cafe and wine bar serves lunch and dinner as well as having an extensive Australian wine list. Trendy office workers gather in the Lobby Lounge Bar to see and be seen. Cocktails are not cheap at £5 each, but you’re paying for the atmosphere and the view over the harbour.
Overall opinion:this ultra-modern hotel in a prime spot in Sydney will be very popular among the young jet set. Despite the cool image, staff are very friendly and helpful. However, older people and families may feel more comfortable in one of Sydney’s more traditional hotels.
By Travel Weekly editor, Jeremy Skidmore.
Great spot: magnificent views of Sydney Harbour Bridge
Pier One: ultra trendy and friendly