Life and travel in the U.S. feel “back to normal” following the COVID-19 pandemic, but that’s not necessarily true in all parts of the world. Countries reopened their borders at different times post-pandemic, and tourism numbers have rebounded at disparate rates.
To get a better understanding of travel in Eastern Australia, and Sydney in particular, we spoke to Uday Rao, general manager of Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, to hear his on-the-ground insights. Rao has been with Four Seasons for 32 years, most recently in Bali and in Sydney since last year.
What does post-pandemic travel to Sydney look like right now?
Post-pandemic, travelers to Sydney have mainly been domestic travelers. Inbound travel is still in recovery; we expect it to be fully recovered in mid-2024. The U.S. remains our top market, with about 30% of our guests coming from there. But airlift is starting to recover, and increased direct flights from the U.S. to Sydney will make it easier for travelers to visit Australia.
It’s no longer a quick business trip to Sydney, it’s a cultural Australian experience.
How are international travelers seeing Australia? What do their trips look like?
Australia remains at the top of aspirational travelers’ bucket-lists, people looking for once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Their trips are a little longer; they want to spend time in Sydney — catch a show, explore the beaches — then go to regional Australia destinations like Uluru to have dinner under the stars, or to the Great Barrier Reef. It’s no longer a quick business trip to Sydney, it’s a cultural Australian experience. At the hotel, too, guests want more authentic experiences, and they are interested in sustainability initiatives.
What makes Four Seasons Hotel Sydney stand out from the crowd?
This is the Plaza Hotel of Sydney. It has stood the test of time, with tradition and history yet new, renovated rooms. It has the warmth and care of Aussie hospitality without pretension. Doormen, bellmen and room service staff have been here for decades, recognize the regulars, welcome them with open arms and remember their preferences. This is the heart and soul of the team. It’s effortless — no training manual for this.
Uday Rao, general manager of Four Seasons Hotel Sydney
Credit: 2023 Four Seasons Hotel SydneyHow about its location? We’ve heard about those views.
Everyone claims to have a great location, but none “own” it like we do — [the hotel is] literally minutes’ walk away from the ferry terminal, the light rail, the Central Business District, the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, botanical gardens, art galleries and some of the best restaurants in the city. And in a high-rise building, guests get a panoramic view of Sydney Harbour. Full Harbour View Suites are the most popular rooms; guests sip their morning coffee while watching the ferry boats maneuver in and out of the terminals. And it’s the hotel to stay in for New Year’s Eve.
What surprises first-time visitors about Sydney?
The city’s outdoor lifestyle, and how beautiful it is — you want to be exploring, hiking along the coast, enjoying the sun, the sandy clean beaches, the food scene. It’s an accessible and easy city to get around. I think it’s a very underestimated city.
What travel trends or patterns are you observing among Four Seasons Sydney guests?
Leisure guests are taking longer vacations, taking the time to explore. In Sydney, they’re utilizing our Clefs d’Or Concierge team to access the best restaurants and tours of the Opera House. They’re climbing the Harbour Bridge and taking seaplanes to explore the beautiful coastline. Then they explore more of Australia, from the Blue Mountains or the Hunter Valley, both just two hours from Sydney.
