Since 2017, the hotel industry in Brisbane has seen significant growth with the opening of 12 new hotels and an increase in room numbers by 7 percent year-on-year. Brisbane’s rapid expansion has been fueled by an influx of visitors, with over 7 million people visiting the city in 2023. The upcoming Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games are expected to further drive the need for additional hotel rooms, not only in Brisbane but also in regional cities such as Cairns, Townsville, and the Sunshine Coast.
The Queensland Tourism Industry Council has suggested converting under-used office blocks in Brisbane into hotels to meet the growing demand. The success of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games showed the importance of a diverse range of accommodation options, including hotels, apartments, homestays, Airbnb, camping, and tourist parks. During the Games, the Gold Coast experienced an 88 percent average occupancy rate in accommodation, with $75 million spent on lodging. The 2032 Games are expected to include venues across Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and North Queensland, requiring a strategic approach to accommodation planning.
The investment in Brisbane’s hotel sector has brought about new developments such as The Calile Hotel, W Brisbane, Hotel X, and the Westin, among others. The new Westin Hotel in Mary Street is one of the many additions to Brisbane’s hotel landscape since 2017. With the Games in 2032 set to be spread across Queensland, there is a need for a statewide approach to hotel room research. Developers are already eyeing potential locations in regional and North Queensland, with investments being made in key areas such as Cairns by groups like Crystalbrook Collection Group.
Crystalbrook Collection Group, led by developer Ghassan Aboud, has already invested over half a billion dollars in new hotel developments in Cairns and other regions. The group’s expansion includes properties in Brisbane, Sydney, and regional areas, showcasing the growing interest in Queensland’s diverse tourism market. Previous initiatives, such as offering incentives to developers to add hotel rooms ahead of major events like the G20 conference and 2018 Commonwealth Games, have proven to be successful in boosting Brisbane’s hotel stock. Discussions between Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and Queensland’s Sports and Tourism Minister Michael Healy are underway to formulate a comprehensive hotel planning strategy for the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics, focusing on accommodating the influx of athletes, officials, and spectators expected to visit Queensland during the Games.
