Hamilton Island hits record high

A view of Cat's Eye Bay on Hamilton Island, Australia.

A $25m annual reinvestment to refresh Hamilton Island’s offering has paid off with the end of financial year reporting record occupancy levels, 30 percent of which were repeat bookings.

The end of financial year 2016 market update for Hamilton Island revealed it achieved the highest hotel occupancy levels on record of 93.2 percent, an 8 percent increase on the previous year’s record-breaking figure.

Hamilton Island’s CEO, Glenn Bourke, said he was pleased to see the Island continuing to achieve incredibly strong occupancy results year after year, with the Island also reporting a 15 percent increase in annual room revenue on the back of room nights sold, which were also up by 11 percent on 2015.

Bourke attributes the success on three things, the multi-million dollar reinvestment strategy to keep the Island’s offering updated and fresh; the lower Australian dollar; and healthy competition among Australian’s airlines, bringing more guests to the Island.

“The legacy Mr Bob Oatley has left the business, following his passing at the beginning of 2016, is immense, and we continue to deliver on his vision for Hamilton Island,” Bourke said.

“The Oatley family’s ongoing commitment to reinvest significant capital each year has proven correct. Our primary focus is to continue to create a better ambience each time our guests visit, and we have some guests who have visited more than a dozen times. As a result, in excess of $25 million is invested each year to ensure our premium holiday offering remains fresh and appealing with new and improved accommodation and activities.”

Bourke added the Island is also seeing the strongest repeat business ever registered, with 30 percent of total bookings accounting for repeat business, which is testament to the service and unique offering the Island delivers to guests.

The lower Australian dollar and improved Island access also supported the strong increase in booking numbers over the past 12 months from both domestic guests, up by 7.5 percent, and international guests, up by 13 percent. The significant increase in bookings reinforces Hamilton Island’s position as one of the world’s premier holiday destinations.

Domestic booking growth was led by Victoria (up 13%), NSW (up 7%). Inbound bookings saw impressive growth of 23% from the UK, 20% from Japan and 18% from China.

Aerial of Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays, Queensland Australia. Reef and sailing boats seen in the blue water.

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