This weekend will see Queenslanders head to the voting booth in the second election since COVID-19 . What is clear is that this election will be different to the NT one a few months ago and it will go down to the wire. Insights from polling data are suggesting there will be a swing away from the sitting ALP Government in the regions but a swing to them in South East Queensland.
For the LNP their success will come from an apparent collapse in One Nation support providing an opportunity to form Government most likely in minority with the support of the Katter Party. Polls prior to the coronavirus outbreak had the LNP ahead, however, the Premier’s personal popularity has since increased largely because of her publicly popular handling of the pandemic at the expense of the tourism and accommodation Sectors.
However, we are expecting an important announcement from the Queensland Government tomorrow on the opening of the borders. We will continue to work the phones and meeting the key decision makers to push to make this happen.
Our advocacy activities have continued with a clear focus on three pillars (asset protection, employee retention and growing demand). We know for our sector to rebound, the elements of these priority pillars must be implemented. Over the coming weeks, you will be hearing more from us on how you can get involved with the direct advocacy activities, as we work to another federal budget in 6 months.
Most of you would have also seen we have led the way in recommencing our in-person events with market updates taking place around the country. This is important to ensure you have the best available data and insights as you plan for what will be a challenging start to 2021.
Finally, it has been eight months since Australia’s borders closed and our industry experienced a downturn not seen since the great depression. Reflecting on the impact this has had on our sector, I am extremely proud to lead your team here at the Accommodation Association through this continuing crisis. It is not a statement I write lightly, ensuring our Sector has had a seat at the table and delivering outcomes especially in times of need is why I took this role about 18 months ago.
As always, the team of the Accommodation Association is here to help and should you require assistance on any matter, please don't hesitate to contact us on 02 8666 9015 or mail@aaoa.com.au.
Regards, Dean Long
CEO - Accommodation Association
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Tens of millions of dollars pre-booked and waiting to be spent
in Australia’s domestic tourism industry
Hundreds of thousands of Australians are desperate to travel to their favourite holiday destinations within Australia, according to the Australian Timeshare Holiday Ownership Council (ATHOC), the peak body for Australia’s timeshare industry.
Occupancy forecasts for Australian timeshare properties point to strong pent up demand in all states with Queensland leading the way with timeshare bookings now at 73.5% for September and 75% for October. Some timeshare resorts in Queensland are pre-booked at over 93% for October alone. In NSW timeshare bookings are 67% in September and 70% in October.
Please click here to continue reading.
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Welcome to our new Corporate Partners
The Accommodation Association is pleased to welcome our new corporate partners:
As an association, we strive to give our members access to the key industry suppliers, giving them the best chance to thrive.
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Framework for Reopening
The Association welcomed the National Cabinet announcement on the 23 October of a Framework for National Reopening by Christmas. This framework recognizes the importance of state border openings and reduction in physical distancing measures, key issues that have underpinned the Association’s advocacy at both State and Federal level as States implement improved health protocols.
To continue reading, please click here.
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The Importance of Consultation Before Redundancy
Valid reasons for redundancies may be obvious during the pandemic, but employers should not be complacent when following the procedural process.
In this article, we discuss when employers are exempt from unfair dismissal claims, genuine redundancies and the importance of following procedural processes set out in awards
Members have unlimited access to the Association’s workplace relations advisory service and those considering redundancies are invited to contact the IR helpdesk for discussion on mail@aaoa.com.au or 02 8666 9015.
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Do I need to update my COVID Safe plan? If so when?
Yes. Your COVID Safe Plan is a moving feast and, unfortunately, you need to continually update it until the impacts of the pandemic have settled down and whenever regulations or restrictions affecting your business change.
To update your plan, we recommend you go to the Government website for your state and cross check your plan against the latest updates.
If you need assistance with this matter, please contact our expert in Hotels & Accommodation,
We regularly review COVID Safe Plans and, if necessary, we can do this remotely via an online meeting with you (or we can review and update it independently).
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Pictured: NSW Market Update Event on 15 October |
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Accommodation Association In-Person Events
The Accommodation Association has recommenced our program of in-person events.
We recently hosted our ACT Hotel Market Update at Hotel Realm, Canberra and our first hybrid event – the NSW Economic and Hotel Market Update at Rydges World Square.
Both events were of great success, with over 300 people receiving the best information to plan their recovery in 2021.
We will continue to work with our member venues to deliver hybrid events and meet the demands of the industry.
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Upcoming Events
- 30th October, 10am - 11am - Let's Melbourne Again
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5th November from 1pm – 2:30pm - Reopen Safely with your COVID Safe Plan. This webinar is for small and independent Accommodation Operators in Victorian
- 5th November - Accommodating yourself and your staff
- 12th November - Building your Recovery Plan
- 13th November - Ted's Technology Summit
Our website is constantly being updated with information on upcoming webinars and you should regularly check for new webinars being added. You can check it at any time here.
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Federal Budget Recap
On Tuesday 6th October, the Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, handed down a historic Federal Budget. The central theme of this year’s Budget is creating jobs, rebuilding our COVID-19 impacted economy and introducing measures designed to stimulate business investment and consumer spending.
Click here to read Hostplus' analysis of the Federal Budget, including proposed super reform measures, superannuation guarantee and other key announcements.
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Bunnings PowerPass
Accommodation Association members are eligible to become a Bunnings PowerPass member and enjoy a wide range of offers on commercial products, tailored pricing and quick, easy and flexible fulfilment.
We’ve also got your industry covered getting back to business with bulk quantities of the cleaning and protection products you need. As well as joinery, storage, tools, doors, safety equipment, gardening and a whole lot more from the brands you know and trust.
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Hospitality Cleaning Model Post COVID-19
As we eagerly look forward to a return to life and business as we know it, we have to manage our own expectations. We cannot take all that we have experienced and learnt and expect no changes.
We are eager to collaborate with your business on a cleaning solution post COVID-19 to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those in your staff and customer experience circle.
Please click here to continue reading.
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Australian Made Masks & PPE
Key Signatures is an industry led company, created to provide suitable & affordable Personal Protective Equipment for Australian businesses
We are passionate about supporting hospitality Industries to supply PPE to their staff and clients to keep them safe.
Our customised support and service is driven by a desire to offer affordable and high-quality products, in a timely manner.
You can rely on Key Signatures to meet your ongoing needs, via our secured goods channels. We deliver our products when you need them.
With our ever growing Australian Made products list we are your trusted one stop shop for essential PPE staples. More here.
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A minute saved can go a long way
At the Hilton Garden Inn in Gilroy, the team found they were spending over 10 hours each week vacuuming. Faced with the challenge of the staffing shortages, the cleaning team was often stretched too thin and maintenance staff would be called in to help with cleaning the common areas.
Watch the video to see how Hilton Garden Inn at Gilroy implemented robotics into their operation to reclaim one minute per room in cleaning time as well as a marked improvement in their cleanliness score.
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You Must-Have Direct Booking Solution
reZme is a new tech platform that gives you all the tools to finally implement a direct booking strategy that works.
As we come out of COVID, managing your costs will be vitally important and reducing third party commissions is a must.
reZme provides you with a single solution that includes the best website builder, booking engine and digital marketing tools available.
From just $159 per month.
Find out more about reZme here.
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COVID-19 Return to Work (Hospitality) – Course Outline
Work practices and standard operating procedures in the hotel, accommodation and
food service industry have changed significantly as a result of COVID-19, and are likely to
remain that way for some time.
Employers have a responsibility to educate staff on additional hygiene and physical distancing policies as well as modified procedures to create a safe working environment.
For more information click here.
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Seeking change beyond just innovation presented by ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions
Enhancing a customer’s accommodation experience has to go beyond the traditions of free soap and chocolate.
Nowadays, it must be delivered in a more meaningful and innovative way to ensure you’re keeping up with what the competition’s doing. So, when New Zealand-based tourism accommodation and rental car operator, Jucy, sought to improve the check-in and check-out experience for guests at their ever-popular Jucy pod hotels, they turned to automated SmartCheck kiosks. The result? Seamless arrival and departure flow for guests and staff, giving everyone more time to engage on a deeper level – sharing travelling stories, tips, advice and best-kept-experience secrets. Because that’s what the best hotel experiences are made of.
Click here to read the article.
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Congratulations to the team @ Donald Motor Lodge - You've won!
It is with absolute pleasure we announce the winner of our Harvey Norman Commercial Victoria’s Little Giants competition with our friends of AAoA.
Congratulations to Donald Motor Lodge on winning an ex-display Miele PW6065 Vario PRO LP washing machine & PT7135 C Vario PRO EL tumble dryer valued at a combined $9,238 RRP.
The response to the competition was truly overwhelming, and the number of heartfelt entry submissions that touched on the current tough business climate faced by many accommodation & hospitality businesses were indeed numerous. Click here to continue reading the article.
To discover more about Harvey Norman Commercial Victoria and the extensive range of commercial products we supply, click here.
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Thank you to all the teams that joined our fitness class on Tuesday. The BTYC team had great time and we hope you did too. For anyone who couldn't join us, please feel free to watch the recording, to get a sense of what BTYC can deliver.
Let’s get your hotel ‘Jumping’!
Do you want to promote health, fitness and movement with your guests?
Have you thought of adding fitness to your guest services?
Do you have guests that need fitness from the comfort of their room, not the gym where they can’t or don’t want to be?
BTYC is here to help!
- A bespoke schedule - delivered straight to the guest by online platform
- Live streaming or pre-recorded sessions available
- Follow-along, coach led classes - aimed at all ages
- Presented by fully qualified and insured Gymnastics coaches
BTYC have become experts in online class delivery over the last 6 months, currently managing over 100 classes per week, to over 400 members. More information here.
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Have some virtual fun on Funlab!
Funlab, the company behind 7 national entertainment brands including Holey Moley Golf Club, Strike Bowling and Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq is now offering virtual events perfect for Christmas parties, team building or for simply brightening up your team's working from home week.
Their suite of fully hosted events include a virtual trivia, online escape rooms, virtual team building, a choose your own adventure game and a nostalgic game show event! More info can be found here.
Funlab is pleased to offer AAOA members 15% off all virtual events booked before 1st January 2021. To redeem this offer simply 02 7908 3345 or make an enquiry here and mention that you are an AAOA member. For more information please check: https://www.funlabvirtual.com/
Happy playing!
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Tripadvisor Ramps Up Support for Hotels With Launch of Two New Technology Solutions
Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel platform, has announced the launch of two new technology solutions for hotels – Spotlight and Reputation Pro – to help hospitality businesses rebuild traveler confidence, attract new customers and make smart, data-driven decisions to increase profitability during these unprecedented times.
Click here to continue reading the article.
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