AUSTRALIA. A new session, ‘Airport Hotels are a Thing’, has been added to the agenda for the Australian Airports Association (AAA) Retail & Commercial Forum, which takes place in Sydney on 21-23 July.
The session will unveil bespoke consumer and industry research exploring the growing trend of airport-owned and-developed hotels as integral components of the airport commercial landscape.
Now in its fourth year, the Forum is a collaboration between the Australian Airports Association (AAA), The Mercurius Group and The Moodie Davitt Report. It serves as the leading platform for promoting the growth of retail and commercial revenues at airports across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific region.
The session will present the findings from two dedicated research initiatives:
- Stollznow Research Director Neil Stollznow will present consumer research on why travellers choose airport hotels over other accommodation options;
- The Mercurius Group Senior Consultant Diane Owens will provide a snapshot of the latest commercial insights on the prevalence and performance of airport hotels compared to their non-airport counterparts.
Together, these insights provide valuable commercial intelligence for any airport considering development or expansion of their airport portfolio.
Following the research presentations, a panel of industry experts will discuss the implications of the findings. Panellists include:
- Ron de Wit, Managing Director, Australia at Horwath HTL – a leading hotel advisory firm;
- Brett Forer, Vice President, Development, Pacific at Accor – operator of the largest airport hotel portfolio in Australia;
- Maria Verner, Senior Investment Manager, Hotels at Corval – owner of the Moxy Sydney Airport Hotel; and
- Toby Innes, Head of Commercial Property Development at Brisbane Airport – where three on-campus hotels are already in operation, with further development under consideration.
Leading industry voices have highlighted the value of the research and upcoming panel discussion:
Australian Airports Association CEO Simon Westaway said: “Hotels are now appearing on or adjacent to airports of all sizes. Their widespread adoption reflects their success and growing status as a legitimate part of the airport commercial mix. We’re proud to feature this timely research and panel discussion at this year’s Forum.”
The Mercurius Group Managing Director Ivo Favotto said: “There are over 90 hotels across Australia and New Zealand that meet the airport hotel definition. Increasingly, these are located on campus and are airport-owned or developed. The risk profile is now well understood—airport hotels are definitely a thing and airports-as-hotel-developers is also a thing.”
Horwath HTL Australia Managing Director Ron de Wit said: “We have conducted feasibility assessments for numerous airport hotels over the years. The market has reached a point of maturity where the commercial risks and rewards are now understood much more.”
Accor Vice President Development, Pacific Brett Forer said: “Accor’s position as the largest and leading operator of airport hotels in the region is no accident. We identified the potential of this segment early and have been actively expanding our footprint. With strong momentum behind us, we’re continuing to grow in this distinct and thriving part of the market.”
Corval Senior Investment Manager, Hotels Maria Verner said: “Airports generate their own demand. That consistent demand makes the case for airport hotel developments compelling.”
Brisbane Airport Head of Commercial Property Development Toby Innes said: “Our three on-campus hotels are performing exceptionally well. So well, in fact, we’re exploring the development of a fourth, and potentially more, using a range of development and ownership models.”
Registration to attend the Forum is now open via the AAA website: Airport Retail & Commercial Forum – Australian Airports Association
For all sponsorship and exhibition inquiries at the 2025 AAA Retail & Commercial Forum, please contact:
Ivo Favotto at ifavotto@themercuriusgroup.com
Tel: +61 423 564 057 ✈
