TTF report sees visitors as driving recovery of capital city CBDs

Nightlife and weekend events are leading the recovery of cities across Australia in the post-pandemic world, countering the slower return of workers, according to new data released today by the Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF).

Advising that the total number of people in CBDs across Australia has improved significantly since last year, returning closer to pre-pandemic levels in all five capital cities measured, though weekends are still outperforming weekdays, TTF Chief Executive, Margy Osmond explained “visitors, not workers, are driving this recovery. Their enthusiasm to explore and experience each city's offerings is what's propelling their revival

“This data shows how important it is to keep investing in our arts, entertainment and hospitality industries, as well as supporting major events. These sectors play a pivotal role in revitalising our cities and contributing to their overall recovery.”

The latest DSpark report, commissioned by TTF, analysed anonymised and aggregated mobility data to examine the movement of the Australian adult population across the Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth CBDs.

The report found the number of CBD workers in April 2023 is still below pre-pandemic levels nationally, despite increasing since last year.

Osmond add “while the levels of CBD workers have indeed increased in every city, some level of remote work may be here to stay. This may be our new normal.

“If that’s the case, we need continued investment in industries beyond traditional office spaces to ensure a vibrant and thriving urban landscape, so CBD businesses don’t suffer.”

Findings for Sydney reveal:

• The total number of people visiting or working in Sydney’s CBD is at 77% of pre-pandemic levels in April 2023, an increase from 67% of pre-pandemic levels in July 2022.

• The number of workers back in Sydney’s CBD is at 64% of pre-pandemic levels in April 2023, increasing from 52% of pre-pandemic levels in July 2022, indicating some level of working from home is now the ‘new normal’.

• Sydney remains the least recovered of Australia’s five largest capital cities for levels of total visitation and CBD workers in April 2023, despite a significant lift since July last year.

• Weekend visits are driving the recovery of Sydney’s CBD, with the number of people on weekends returning to 100% of pre-pandemic levels in April 2023.

• Weekday visitation has not recovered as quickly, with the number of people at 80% of pre-pandemic levels in April 2023.

• In Sydney’s CBD, early mornings have experienced the greatest recovery compared to pre-Covid levels, for both weekdays and weekends.

• The number of people in Sydney’s CBD from 4-6am on weekends is 122% of pre-pandemic levels while the number of people from 3-5am weekdays is 119% in April 2023.

Percentage of people in CBDs in APRIL 2023 compared to pre-Covid levels (visitors vs workers)

TTF is staging its annual Outlook Conference in Sydney this week, an event known for driving the national tourism agenda with a focus on the innovations that are shaping the domestic and international visitor economies.

Click here for more information on TTF's Outlook Conference, being held on Thursday 1st June in the Pearl Ballroom at Crown Sydney, in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Image credit: Microsoft Teams.