City centre hotels toast record occupancy
TOURISM bosses are confident of further success this year as data showed Manchester hotels had their best-ever year for hotel occupancy.
Hotels in the city centre achieved an average annual occupancy rate of 79% in 2014- up 2% on 2013, when rates matched a previous all time high of 77%.
On two dates in December, city centre hotels were nearly 100% full thanks to the festive markets and sporting and cultural events.
On December 2 capacity was at 98% as Manchester United played Stoke City at home and Shrek the Musical opened at the Palace Theatre. On Saturday 13, The Who’s concert at Manchester Arena and the opening of the Winter Wonderland attraction at EventCity led to a 99% occupancy peak.
2015 will be a significant year for investment in the sector, with a number of new openings and some major refurbishment projects beginning. Nearly 800 new hotel bedrooms are set to be delivered across the city region in the next 12 months. New hotels include: Motel One (330 rooms), Innside by Melia (208), Hotel Football (138), Hotel Gotham (66) and King Street Townhouse (40).
The first phase of the Edwardian Group’s multi-million pound revamp of the Free Trade Hall hotel on Peter Street is also beginning.
Nick Brooks-Sykes, director of tourism at Marketing Manchester, said: “2014 was a very good year for Greater Manchester’s hotel industry with occupancy levels outstripping previous records set across the conurbation. To see figures continue to rise alongside ever-expanding bedroom stock speaks volumes about the current health of our tourism industry.
“There are a number of new hotel operators preparing to enter the market in 2015 and notably many of the city’s existing hotels are currently upgrading their facilities. This investment is very well-timed as the tourism calendar is packed with new developments and drivers.”
The reopening of the Whitworth Art Gallery later this month, the opening of HOME in May; the Manchester International Festival and Manchester Pride’s 25th anniversary event in the summer, are all seen as further drivers for tourism, along with the Rugby World Cup in October.
Paul Bayliss, chair of the Manchester Hoteliers Association, added: “It’s always good to see growth in hotel occupancy levels; however, achieving a record year like this is particularly satisfying following the difficult years experienced during the economic downturn. The region’s profile is undoubtedly on the up and as a result we’ve seen a noticeable increase in forward bookings, particularly when the city is hosting major events, conferences and festivals.
“The demographic of our staying guests also continues to diversify; they continue to look for a more sophisticated and novel offer and Manchester as a city continues to provide it through its consistent regeneration programmes in both leisure and supporting services for commerce sectors as new businesses make the city region their home.
“With increases in visitors from places such as China, India and the United States the future looks bright for Greater Manchester’s hotel industry.”
