Stadium shows helped boost hotel occupancy, says BHA

Figures released this week revealed the positive impact big-name concerts held at Ashton Gate stadium had on hotels in Bristol, according to the British Hoteliers Association (BHA).

The BHA said shows featuring Rod Stewart, Take That, Muse and the Spice Girls helped boost average room rates by almost 20% and increased occupancy at hotels in the city centre and surrounding area by 7% over the four nights in June.

General manager at Doubletree Bristol North and chair of the association, Nadine Rees, said: “The figures show the percentage growth compared with the same day last year. For Rod Stewart, occupancy was up 9.1% and average room rate was up 13.6%.”

Take That’s performance pushed occupancy up 14.5% with average room rate increases across the city of 24.6%. Muse saw occupancy up 1.5% with average room rate up 11.5% and the Spice Girls boosted occupancy by 5.7% and average room rate by 28%.

Rees said the series of concerts had drawn visitors from outside the region who were used to travelling as far afield as Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool for the biggest stadium and arena bands.

She added: “As well as bringing in large numbers of visitors and boosting hotel occupancy in the city, the concerts also would have benefitted local retailers, taxis, bars and restaurants.

“Looking forward I am confident we will be welcoming more big-name artists and events in the city, especially once the new YTL arena at Filton comes online. Ashton Gate is very keen to bring more acts to the city in 2020 and we are very supportive of that as it will benefit the economy in the city.”

The Bristol Hoteliers Association represents 40 major hotels in the city.