\The weather did not deter Sydneysiders and tourists alike over Vivid Festival’s opening weekend, with Accor’s Sydney CBD hotels recording impressive results, topping the opening weekend figures achieved in 2014.
Accor’s Sydney CBD hotels saw an occupancy increase of 2.2% across Vivid opening weekend (22-24 May), as its Sydney hotels were 87.9% full.
Harbour Rocks Hotel was at 100% capacity on opening night, and sat at 98% occupancy for the remainder of the weekend. Food and drink specials celebrating the creativity of Vivid were put on for visitors to enjoy at Eric’s Bar and Scarlett Restaurant and the hotel reported lines snaking around the hotel with people wanting to be part of the action.
“We saw a 14% increase in revenue across F&B compared to last year’s opening weekend and the volume of people coming through the hotel was phenomenal,” said Harbour Rocks Hotel General Manager, Dylan Cole.
“We have installed a Creperie Suzette bar which was buzzing Friday through to Sunday and it was fantastic to see both the young and old getting into the spirit of Vivid,” he said.
Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour which sits right atop Circular Quay and directly faces the Harbour Bridge averaged 96% occupancy across Vivid opening weekend and ECQ Bar and Q Dining were popular venues to watch the spectacle throughout the entire weekend.
“Once again, Vivid Festival is off to a cracking start and it is incredibly pleasing to see our Sydney CBD hotels out-shining the opening weekend results achieved last year,” said Accor Vice President Operations NSW & ACT, Scott Boyes.
“Having a strong events calendar is so important for our hotels and gives a major boost the broader economy, and we would like to congratulate the NSW State Government, Destination NSW and the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority for making Vivid Sydney bigger and better than ever.
“Its events such as Vivid which makes Sydney such a great place to visit and live in, and we’re looking forward to welcoming more guests into our hotels over the remainder of the Festival,” he said.
Accor’s Sydney Olympic Park hotels are gearing up for bumper first State of Origin Clash on Wednesday 27 May with Pullman, Novotel and ibis Sydney Olympic Park all forecasting 100% capacity.