‘Gig-trippers’ help Cardiff hotel reach record-breaking revenue after Events-Filled Summer
‘Gig-trippers’ help Cardiff hotel reach record-breaking revenue after Events-Filled Summer
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We are especially fortunate at The Parkgate to be located right next to Principality Stadium and within a very short walk of the Castle where so many other top artists have played this summer.
The city really comes to life on a big match day or when a concert is taking place and most fans make a real day of it by arriving well before to soak up the atmosphere and to have a meal and a drink.
There is also a growing trend towards gig-tripping where international tourists will build whole vacations around watching their favourite artists or domestic travellers will turn attending a concert into a mini-break. We saw people from all over the world attending the Oasis gig and Cardiff attracted a lot of rave reviews from people who would never have thought to visit the city, were it not for the big event taking place here.
We enjoyed some record-breaking revenues and average room rates when Oasis were in town and it was fantastic that they chose Cardiff for the first date on their tour. All eyes really were firmly fixed on the city and I’m sure the spotlight will result in more people visiting Cardiff – whether it be for another big event or simply because it promotes the destination as a vibrant place to visit.
It is vital that Cardiff continues to be build on these big summer events. We thought 2024 was a special year with Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel… and then Oasis and Stereophonics come along to make an even bigger and better 2025. But we need to keep up that momentum and build our reputation as a brilliant place to come and see amazing events.
The challenge lies in the seasonal nature of these events. They often come in short bursts, leaving quieter periods at other times of the year. We need to promote and build up some of the smaller events like the Welsh Fire playing in The Hundred cricket at the moment. We also need to bring more business events to the city.
At The Parkgate, we have invested in our meeting facilities by adding a new boardroom this year to meet demand. We can also align business events with the larger sporting and cultural events taking place in the city. A corporate group attending a rugby match, for example, could just as easily spend the morning in a strategy meeting or conference at a nearby venue. Cardiff’s hospitality sector can provide the full package: premium accommodation, excellent food and drink, and versatile spaces for business needs.
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