Worst hotel occupancy rate since GFC

Canberra has recorded its worst occupancy rate since the global financial crisis.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures show 34 per cent of hotel rooms were empty in the last quarter of 2012 - up from 20 per cent in the March quarter of 2010.

Takings were down by $7 million over the same period of time.

The Australian Hotels Association says the market has already rebounded, thanks to high profile exhibitions at galleries and museums.

Despite the low occupancy rate, the hotel industry still provided more than $55 million to the Territory's coffers over the last quarter.

Source: ABC News, 8 April 2013