Griffith’s hotel booking shortfall

Griffith hotels have been left with few vacancies recently, thanks to the region experiencing growth across several industries.

New developments, major refurbishments across local businesses, industry conferences, as well as chicken, nut, wine and irrigation expansion are all contributing to the mid-week accommodation shortfall.

Griffith City Council’s Manager Tourism and Economic Development, Greg Lawrence knows where the next focus needs to be for accommodation but more weekend travellers are a must to attract investors.

“What we lack at the moment is the in-between style of accommodation,” he said.

“We provide for the backpackers and those who want to stay in hotels but we lack the all-inclusive style of long term accommodation.”

Quest Griffith’s Joshua Nadzielski, said his newly-opened hotel has at times turned people away on Tuesday evenings.

“In some of those instances, there has been no other rooms available for them anywhere in town.

“We have 67 rooms to offer and in the three weeks we have been open to be selling out that often is incredible.”

The Griffith Visitors Information Centre receives constant calls from mid-week travellers wanting to stay in Griffith for a night or two, but struggle to find vacancies.

It’s not all doom and gloom when it comes to the city’s bustle of mid-week visitors, with statistics released by Destination NSW suggesting over $100,000 is spent by Griffith visitors every Monday to Friday.

Mr Lawrence has urged midweek visitors to plan ahead and reserve a room as soon as possible.

“The Visitors Centre staff are forced to turn away a dozen or more people and send them to Leeton, Yenda or neighbouring towns to find a bed,” he said.

“On any Tuesday or Wednesday night in Griffith, there are at least 580 people looking for somewhere to eat or shop...”