Room boom not here

QUEENSLAND's hotels and motels are celebrating mostly full rooms, a new report has shown, but those results have not yet been evident in hotels across the Fraser Coast.

A Tourist Accommodation report released yesterday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed Queensland hotels had an occupancy rate of more than 70% for the September quarter.

Peppers Pier Resort general manager Andrew Knox said the Queensland average figure was about 12% higher than Peppers' rate during the same period.

While the hotel was fully booked over Christmas, occupancy rates were still below the state average as the region tried to compete with places such as the Gold and Sunshine coasts.

Mr Knox believed the region needed more attractions outside of the lucrative whale-watching months.

It was better news for Ramada. Acting general manager Tony Gutierrez said the hotel had occupancy rates above the 70% Queensland average for the past six months, up from less than 65% the previous year.

"We are very fortunate," Mr Gutierrez said.

The hotel experienced its strongest month in December at 76% and 74% in September.

He said the occupancy rate was always lower outside of the whale-watching season.

"It's a gem for us," he said.