2020. From bushfires and floods to having to cope with the reality – and unreality – of COVID, there’s been no reprieve. There’s been no doubt that this has been a year that kept going from bad to worse.
As the year limps to a close and as we continue to grapple with a ‘COVID normal’ world, I wanted to take this time to express my gratitude and reflect on all we have achieved despite these extraordinary challenges by working together.
From the Association, we have been proud to support each of you through this unprecedented time.
- We have had over 20,000 interactions with members
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Created our COVID-19 Hub, your ‘one-stop shop’ for information on Government restrictions and support programs
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2,000 attendees at our webinar series
- 300 attendees at our in-person events
- Over 450 consumer media appearance across TV, radio, print and digital ensuring the public are aware of the impact of bushfires and COVID-19 on our industry
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Grown our social media footprint by 46% to maximise our direct voice to members, industry and political leaders
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Supported the placement of nearly 100 new employees into our sector through the PaTH Program
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Produced 20 submissions to all States, Territories, and the Commonwealth to ensure they understand the reality that Australia’s accommodation providers are dealing with as well as the critical importance of the economic role we play
- Over 200 meetings with political leaders to advocate for JobKeeper, Cashflow Boost 1 and 2 and the Mandatory Code
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Membership growth by 12% as properties saw the new and increasing value your Association provides
This year has certainly showcased the importance of working together strategically and collaboratively. We have done all that and more. As you will have seen from our Thank You video, we know it’s been tough and that despite everything, our people have continued to do what they do best in creating an excellent customer experience.
The personal toll across our sector and our community has been tremendous. Australia, thankfully, has so far been comparatively small although none the less painful for those devastated by the loss of loved ones.
So, while this holiday season for many is not what we had hoped given the recent border closures, please know that I and the team at the Accommodation Association will continue to do all we can to support you. On a personal note, I will be off for a couple of weeks after Christmas to welcome the arrival of our first child which I await with great excitement and a whole lot of trepidation! Be kind to yourself over this time and know you are part of a wonderful community of people who care about you.
Here’s to a kinder, gentler, and less dramatic 2021!
Regards, Dean Long
CEO - Accommodation Association
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Stay Safe Directory
The Accommodation Association has launched a Stay Safe Directory. This directory will be consumer-facing to assist potential guests to identify COVID-Safe properties, and to maintain a high level of confidence in our sector's operating environment. This directory will also support one of the Association's key objectives which is to increase direct bookings to your property.
All properties that appear on the Stay Safe Directory will need to have self-assessed as having a plan that is compliant with their state/territory Health Directions (Regulations). The Accommodation Association has also identified the following guidelines as being minimum requirements:
- Guidelines on facemasks
- Hand sanitizer available for staff and guests
- Regular sanitization of high traffic areas
- Physical distancing guidelines, such as capacity limits and floor markings
- Linen disinfected between guests
- Record keeping of staff and guests
- all properties to agree to these principles
As a member of the Accommodation Association, you can opt-in to the Directory by logging into the Member Portal. We encourage you to use this portal to update your property's details and enhance your listing, by publishing additional information such as contact email, logo and property description.
You may also opt-in to the directory by submitting your COVID Safe Plan to our web form. Once approved, your listing (property name, address and website) will be published to the directory.
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Association focusses on 2021 Policy Agenda
With 2021 fast approaching, the Association is focussed on strengthening the industry policy agenda to the government to support recovery. There has never been a more important time for the industry’s voice to be heard!
During 2020 our efforts were invested in securing targeted, specific funding to support the accommodation sector. As a significant employer, advocacy for JobKeeper was at the center of our federal policy efforts at the height of the pandemic, together with rent abatement and land tax reduction measures to support accommodation hotels receiving minimal to no revenue. At the state level, we sought payroll tax waivers and the payment of workers' compensation premiums only on hours worked, broadening the reduction in physical distancing measures, continuation of rent abatement measures and land tax relief, and the opening up of state borders.
As we look forward to 2021, our efforts will be on securing continued relief measures and generating demand. To this end, our policy agenda will be focussed around 3 pillars, essential to ensuring the accommodation sector achieves sustainable recovery and growth.
Please click here to continue reading this article. |
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Understanding penalty rates responsibilities
With a large number of public holidays in the next few weeks, it is essential that you regularly check and ensure all of your staff are being paid correctly.
The Federal Attorney-General introduced legislation to the Commonwealth Parliament that will increase fines and introduce possible prison time for individuals that deliberately under pay your employees.
If the legislation is passed, managers who deliberately underpay workers face up to four years’ jail time and $1.1 million in fines while companies would also face fines of up to $5.5 million excluding one-off underpayments, inadvertent mistakes or miscalculations.
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Do I need to apply for extended liquor trading hours on New Year's Eve?
No. Irrespective of your ordinary licensed hours, Queensland and NSW venues can trade through the evening of 31 December 2020 until 2.00am without requiring any additional approval.
Victorian venues can trade until 1:00am or 3:00am, depending on licence type. However, if you require extended hours for any other one-off events, then you need to lodge the necessary application prior to the event. Depending on your licence type and which State you are located in, these applications need to be lodged anywhere between 2 weeks to 8 weeks prior to the event.
If you need assistance with trading hours or any other hospitality issue, please contact our expert in Hotels & Accommodation, Partner Matthew Bradford at [email protected].
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The New Modern at Crowne Plaza Melbourne
For three decades, the iconic Crowne Plaza Melbourne has played a definitive role in Melbourne’s rich cultural history. Unveiled in early December as the city opens for visiting locals and interstate guests, the hotel’s extensive transformation is now complete across all 432 guestrooms and suites, new restaurant and bar outlets, public areas, conference and meeting facilities, rooftop pool, and fitness center.
The refurbishment ushers guests into the new era of Crowne Plaza locally, with design hallmarks, innovation technology, and functionality which sit at the heart of the brand’s global transformation.
Click here to continue reading.
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Melbourne and Greater Melbourne Road to Recovery
Over the past year, the Accommodation Association has been working closely with the City of Melbourne in driving the leisure market into Melbourne by developing a staycation program. The staycation program can be now be viewed on a dedicated landing page developed by Visit Vitoria as part of the “Stay Close, Go Further” campaign.
The City of Port Philip also collaborated with the Accommodation Association and created a “Stay and play Port Phillip” and will promote it via their digital channels.
Click here to view the Melbourne Staycation marketing plan and details of how properties can get involved. To assist view Visit Victoria Research which identifies the types of things that would motivate a trip in the state.
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Pictured: Lyn Lewis Smith, CEO Business Events Sydney |
Member Briefing from Business Events Sydney
In response to the impacts of COVID-19 on the Australian business events sector, Business Events Sydney (BESydney) has expanded its focus to promote the Sydney metropolitan region as a distinctive domestic business visitor destination. BESydney has since launched their “It’s got to be Sydney” campaign which will run until 30 June 2021.
In support of BESydney, the Accommodation Association held a members briefing to discuss how the accommodation sector in Sydney and Greater Sydney can be part of this campaign.
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Major accommodation industry expo NoVacancy gets green light
Supported by the Accommodation Association, the much-awaited NoVacancy Hotel + Accommodation Industry Expo has been given the official green light from the NSW government and the NSW Health Department.
Taking place on 23rd and 24th of March at the ICC Sydney Exhibition Centre, NoVacancy will reconnect the industry and suppliers after a challenging 2020.
Please click here for more information.
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Upcoming Events
The Accommodation Association looks forward to continuing our events program going into 2021, to provide members with industry insights and networking opportunities.
- Hotel Market Updates in Sydney, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth (subject to State Government Health Orders)
- Global COVID-19 Webinar Series – Insights into recovery measures and activation plans from overseas industry associations
- Industrial Relations – Educational series on knowing your award and managing the day to day applications of the award; webinar with Fair Work Ombudsman – what should members be aware of as the JobKeeper Payment scheme expires.
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Guest Experience Automation
ReviewPro has a special offer for members of the Accommodation Association - a 3 month free trial of Guest Experience Automation™.
Guest Experience Automation™ is a total guest messaging solution to help hotels deliver remarkable guest experiences in a contactless way.
This offer is available up until 31 March 2021. Special Conditions apply, details and a full demo will be provided upon submission of expression of interest.
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A message from AHS Hospitality
Reset, refocus and re-engage as the hospitality industry rebuilds. As a trusted member of the Accommodation Association, we can provide a number of solutions to bring your hotel to life in the new year.
Our team of industry professionals in operations, compliance, safety and commercial are here to provide all of the resources needed to assist with:
· Short term labor hire
· Full service outsourced housekeeping
· Hotel housekeeping consulting
· Risk, compliance and safety auditing
· Housekeeping technology integration
With offices located across Australia, contact us via our website for more information or engage with us on LinkedIn for our latest news.
From our family at ahs hospitality to yours, we wish our clients, guests and industry partners an enjoyable and restful festive season!
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A message from NCP
On behalf of everyone at NCP, thank you for your support in 2020, we wish you all a very merry Christmas and a more prosperous 2021.
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Positive Lessons Post Pandemic
It is a fact that the coronavirus pandemic has drastically changed the way we live, how we work, celebrate, and interact in public as we attempt to restore normality to society and eradicate the virus from our community.
These changes however have uncovered an interesting opportunity for Australians to adapt and learn. With tough restrictions and self-isolation, we have been afforded time to reflect on what is truly important to us as individuals. The arsenal of excuses has been cast aside as we spend time with immediate family, complete the long-overdue nagging chores, sign up to online learning, and start to save our disposable income.
Click here for more information.
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A message from PRESSHUB
From the Hotels Team at Nine Publishing, we wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.
We thank you for your past support and welcome the opportunity to work with you in the future.
If you are interested in providing a premium digital news service for your guests, head to presshub.com.au/hotels to find out how PRESSHUB can work for your hotel.
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10 Ways to Grow Your Revenue
ARMA has proudly provided 100 course scholarships this year, pivoted their annual revenue management summit virtually, supported many amazing senior industry professionals through the online Graduate Certificate of Revenue Management and welcomed 15 new academic partners all striving to improve and enhance their online education programs.
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Crystal balling the ‘new norm’ in Hospitality & Tourism in 2021
What do you think the hospitality and tourism industries will ‘look like’ in 2021 and beyond?
A recent report from EHL Hotel School, Lausanne, Switzerland began by telling the World Trade Organisation expects to decline by 13% to 32% by 2020 as the COVID 19 pandemic affects regular economic activity and normal life around the world. The UN World Tourism Organization estimates that 75 million jobs are at risk worldwide, which corresponds to an expected 20-30% decline in international tourist flows.
Click here to read the full article.
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