Good Times Are Still on the Menu: Hospitality Industry Spend Is Up Despite Cost of Living

Australians might be tightening their belts on retail spending, but they’re still loosening them for a good meal out.

It seems we're happy to bypass that sparkly new pair of shoes or trendy lamp in favour of a mouth-watering meal or a weekend getaway.

Not to bore you with stats, but recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows us that spending on cafes, hotels, and restaurants has risen by at least 7.8% compared to the same period last year.

Sure, overall discretionary spending has dipped by 0.6 per cent compared to last year, but who needs another cushion cover when there's a world of culinary adventures out there waiting?

After a few years being locked down and starved of socialisation, our love for hotels, cafes, and restaurants is back with a vengeance. Just because we're saving on the shoe shopping doesn't mean we're staying in. We're still out and about, probably just rocking last season's ensemble.

Our wanderlust is back in action too. Qantas says their domestic capacity is back to pre-pandemic levels, meaning Australian’s are jumping at the chance to explore our own backyard once again.

From coast to coast, we're seeing spending increases across all states and territories. Western Australia is leading the pack with a spending surge of 4.7 per cent, driven by sectors like transport and health.

So, if you’re a café, restaurant, or hotel owner wondering where your 7.8% jump is, it's time to pump up the volume on your marketing.

With Aussies still more than keen to enjoy a night out or a weekend away, your business offers a break from the humdrum, a chance to create fantastic memories, and a plateful of comfort and connection that we're all craving.

Dial up your digital marketing and let's make sure your venue is at the top of everyone's list.

Your restaurant offers an experience people are still craving, even in tougher times. Let’s make sure they know where to find it.