GLOSSARY
Average length of stay
Average number of days each guest stayed during the reference period. It is a derived item calculated by dividing the number of guest nights occupied by the number of guest arrivals with the result expressed as a number of days,
Average takings per room night available
The takings from accommodation divided by the total number of room nights available for the survey period,
Average takings per room night occupied
The takings from accommodation divided by the total number of room nights occupied for the survey period,
Bed occupancy rate
Bed occupancy expressed as a percentage of total capacity available during the survey period,
Bed spaces
Bed spaces normally in place and available to accommodate paying guests during the survey period. Single beds, three-quarter beds and any beds designed to sleep one person are counted as one bed space. Double, queen and king size beds and any beds designed to sleep two people are counted as two bed spaces. Bunk beds have various configurations. If a bunk bed is designed to sleep two guests, it will count as two bed spaces. Any style of bed that is normally used as a bed is included. Fold away beds and sofas permanently made up as beds are included. Cots, divans and any other type of temporary beds not normally used as beds are excluded.
Capacity
Capacity is the measure of total accommodation stock available at an establishment to accommodate paying guests on the last day of the survey period. It may be given by various measures such as the maximum number of rooms, units, apartments or suites. Capacity closed temporarily for seasonal reasons is included.
Establishments
Hotels and resorts, motels, private hotels, guest houses and serviced apartments within the scope of the survey which operated for any part of the survey period, or which closed temporarily for the quarter for seasonal reasons.
Facilities
Establishments may provide a wide variety of facilities to their paying guests. For the purposes of this survey, all establishments within the scope of the survey provide bath/shower and toilet facilities in most of their rooms. Serviced apartments also provide fully self-contained cooking facilities in most rooms/units.
Guest arrivals
Paying guests counted only on the first night of their stay at the accommodation establishment during the survey period. Guest arrivals may also be known as ‘check ins’. If the same individual returns for a second stay at the accommodation establishment during the same survey period, the first night of the second stay is regarded as a separate guest arrival.
Guest nights available
The total number of bed spaces multiplied by the number of days for which they were available to paying guests during the survey period. For establishments closing (other than for seasonal reasons) or opening during this period, operating periods only are included.
Guest nights occupied
The total number of paying guests counted on each night they stayed at the accommodation establishment during the survey period.
Hotels and resorts (Hotels)
Establishments which operate a public bar and which provide accommodation on a room/unit/apartment/suite basis rather than by the bed as is the practice of visitor hostels. Most guest rooms are equipped with a bath/shower and toilet but not full cooking facilities (i.e. hot plates and oven/microwave). Hotels and resorts may also include establishments referred to as resort hotel and spa, luxury hotel, apartment hotel, boutique hotel, hotel motel, and commercial hotel. This group of establishments is sometimes abbreviated to 'Hotels' in the text as well as in the table and graph titles in this publication.
Motels, private hotels and guest houses (Motels)
Establishments that do not operate a public bar but which provide accommodation on a room/unit/apartment/suite basis rather than by the bed as is the practice of visitor hostels. Most guest rooms are equipped with a bath/shower and toilet but do not have full cooking facilities (i.e. hot plates and oven/microwave). A motel would typically offer guests overnight accommodation and is targeted to the motorist with car parking provided. A private hotel is often a residential hotel that also offers short-term stays. A guest house is typically a personal residence with some accommodation available for paying guests. This group of establishments is sometimes abbreviated to 'Motels' in the text as well as in the table and graph titles in this publication.
Occupancy
Occupancy can refer to the total number of nights each room/unit/apartment/suite was occupied during the survey period or the total number of paying guests counted on each night they stayed at the accommodation establishment during the same period. Room occupancy rates and bed occupancy rates are calculated from room nights and guest nights.
Paying guest
Guests occupying rooms provided for short-term non-residential accommodation.
Persons employed
Persons working at each accommodation establishment during the last pay period ending within the survey period (including working proprietors and those working on other than accommodation activities). Non-salaried workers including volunteers, contractors, and self-employed persons are excluded.
Room nights available
The number of rooms/units available multiplied by the number of days for which they were available during the survey period. For establishments closing (other than for seasonal reasons) or opening during this period, operating periods only are included.
Room nights occupied
The nights each guest room/unit was occupied by a paying guest during the survey period.
Room occupancy rate
Room occupancy expressed as a percentage of total capacity available during the survey period,
providing that, for establishments closing (other than for seasonal reasons) or opening during the survey period, the denominator of the above expression includes only operating periods.
Rooms
Rooms available for accommodating short-term paying guests at each hotel and resort, motel, guest house, and serviced apartment during the survey period. Units, apartments and suites are treated as rooms for these types of establishments.
Serviced apartments
Establishments with five or more units which mostly comprise self-contained units at the same location, and which are available on a unit/apartment basis to the general public for a minimum of one night. The units should have full cooking facilities (i.e. hot plates and oven/microwave), refrigerator and bath/shower and toilet facilities; all bed linen and towels should be provided, and daily servicing (i.e. cleaning and bed making) must be available through the on-site management, although this service may not necessarily be used.
Star grading
The grading of hotels and resorts, motels, private hotels and guest houses and serviced apartments is based on the classification system owned by AAA Tourism Pty Ltd. The gradings are allocated according to a points system based on the amenities and facilities available to guests. Details of the grading scheme are contained in the publication Accommodation Guide published by AAA Tourism Pty Ltd for each of the individual Australian Motoring Organisations. For the purpose of classifying establishments to a star grading in this publication, ‘half’ star gradings are ignored (e.g. a two and a half star grading has been shown as two star).
While coverage has significantly improved, some establishments (including some competing in the four and five star markets and having significant takings) still remain outside the star grading scheme. These establishments have been given a star grading of 'ungraded'.
Periodic additional investigations are made to validate the small proportion of establishments changing star grade between reference periods.
Takings from accommodation (Takings)
Revenue received from the provision of accommodation (excluding revenue received from the provision of meals and other foods and beverages). Since 1 July 2000, takings from accommodation include gross revenue from the provision of accommodation, including GST. In cases where takings from accommodation data cannot be provided inclusive of GST, the amount of GST payable is estimated and the data revised accordingly. Takings from accommodation for each month generally represent the takings received during that month. Where payments are received in advance of, or after the provision of accommodation to guests, the monthly figure for takings from accommodation may not necessarily bear a direct relationship to the number of guests accommodated during the month. Takings from accommodation is sometimes abbreviated as 'Takings' in the text as well as in the table and graph titles in this publication.