Key News Update
December 2018
Message from the CEO, Richard Munro
A big year growing the Accommodation Association of Australia (AAoA)

The AAoA has just had a stellar year of growth driven by our members wanting to gain access to more information and understand our advocacy agenda, the benefits and services that AAoA provides.

We have been working hard on the issues our members want us to improve, based on feedback we have received through surveys and directly in forums and digital media.

The number one priority that continues to come through is issues around rate parity and the terms and conditions that the OTA’s operate with the suppliers of accommodation. The second biggest issue according to the annual survey (the 2019 annual industry survey will be mailed to you shortly) was non-compliant accommodation, or the impact of Airbnb.

The AAoA has worked tirelessly on both of these issues with a decision pending from the ACCC on rate parity clauses and unfair contracts. The Chairman of the ACCC, Mr Rod Simms has advised that the new legislation passed in 2017, “The Misuse of Market Power Bill”, would be the law being used to ascertain if the OTA’s are allegedly operating in a manner that is in fact a misuse of market power by lessening competition.

We know that the ACCC has moved on a case against Trivago alleging that it made misleading hotel pricing representations in its television advertising and website, in breach of the Australian Consumer Law. “Based on Trivago’s highlighted price display on its website, we allege that consumers may have formed the incorrect impression that Trivago’s highlighted deals were the best price they could get at a particular hotel, when that was not the case. Trivago based its rankings on the highest cost per click it would receive from its advertisers,” ACCC Chair Rod Sims said. He went on to say, “we are very concerned that such platforms convey an impression that their services are designed to benefit consumers, when in fact listings are based on which supplier pays the most to the platform.” So we wait on the ACCC to move on this. The AAOA have also informed the Federal Government and the Opposition who are considering options if the ACCC do not take action soon and we will continue to work with them on your behalf.

This year we held over 40 events, providing our members with market information and insights that could not be gained anywhere else but at these events. We travelled to your city or town and provided critical STR data and updates on industrial relations and the economic outlook. We intend to continue these important information sessions and you are welcome to contact us if you would like to participate or even host an event, please contact us .

The other initiatives that we rolled out in 2017-18 were our new State Advisory Boards, in NSW, QLD and VIC as well as our National Advisory Board of Employment (NABE), charged with moving the needle on the availability of employees and the quality and skills that we need to man our industry, working closely with the AAoA Academy. I wish to thank the Chairs of these Boards Mark Hodge – QLD, Pat Lonergan – NSW, Adrian Williams – VIC and David Mansfield for Chairing the NABE. We have set up two other committees for an Energy Buying Group and a Direct Booking Taskforce that are working on those critical issues, advising the National AAoA Board. 

The National Board held the AGM and Julian Clark was re-elected as President, Simon McGrath as Deputy President and Bruce Copland as Treasurer. We also welcome Mr Ramy Filo, President of the Australian Timeshare and Holiday Ownership Council who AAoA has formed an Alliance with to grow our industry.

We welcomed new staff who joined us in 2018 - Janet O’Brien, Membership Development Officer; Nina Pogossov, Administration Manager; Sophia Habib and Gillian Horne in Administration. 

Thank you to all of the members, sponsors, staff and Directors who supported our work in 2018. Watch out for some new developments in 2019, including a new website, members blog and more – it pays to be a member. 
Launch of the NSW State Advisory Board
The Accommodation Association of Australia has continued to boost its local advocacy with the
launch of the New South Wales State Advisory Board.
The Advisory Board was launched by The Hon. Adam Marshall MP, NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events, and Assistant Minister for Skills and consists of representatives from Accommodation Association member properties across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

Janet O'Brien Joins the Accommodation Association Team
The Accommodation Association is excited to welcome Janet O'Brien to the team and to the position of Membership Development Officer. She will work alongside Michelle King, National Membership Manager, to engage with our members to continually improve on our services and benefits. 

Janet started her career in the accommodation industry as an owner/operator of the Tilpa Hotel – an isolated outback pub on the banks of the Darling River. She later joined Star Ratings, at the time known as AAA Tourism, as an accommodation assessor. Janet remained with Star Ratings for twelve and a half years and has held the position of Assessor, Assessing & Quality Consultant and Operations Manager. 
The industry super fund for hospitality, tourism, recreation and sport was honoured to receive five accolades at the independently-assessed Rainmaker SelectingSuper 2018 Awards in Melbourne today (22nd November 2018).
Hostplus was delighted to receive three gold medals at Money magazine’s Best of the Best 2019 awards in Sydney today (29 November 2018)
The Federal Government has introduced the First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS) to help Australians buy their first home. Under the scheme, members can make eligible voluntary contributions into their super account that they can then draw on to help purchase their first home. For more information on FHSS eligibility and requirements click here .
Leonards Advertising

Leonards Advertising is currently offering Accommodation Association members a free data analytics report to highlight who your core audiences are and where they are coming from. Accommodation Association members will receive top care from the professionals at Leonards, who are experts in advising businesses on their advertising and marketing needs.

Welcome to Gold Sponsor, New Creation Print

The Accommodation Association would like to welcome our newest sponsor, New Creation Print (NCP).

Founded in 1989, NCP is a family owned and operated business that specialises in supplying print, storage and distribution of print collateral. NCP currently has more than 400 active Hospitality customers ranging from large multi-hotel groups, to smaller individual boutique properties. 

Round Up of Events
Melbourne Executive Lunch with City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Cr Sally Capp

Recently, Crowne Plaza Melbourne had the pleasure of hosting special guest the City of Melbourne Lord Mayor, Cr Sally Capp and senior hotel leaders from across Melbourne at the Accommodation Association of Australia Executive Lunch.

For this special occasion, Executive Chef Warren Finger crafted a menu to honour the history of the land on which the hotel stands. The menu showcased native ingredients that were once abundant in the local biome such as wattleseed and warrigal greens.
 
Reflecting on the history of the hotel is particularly fitting as the hotel completes the first phase 1 of its exciting refurbishment in October, which includes ten levels of state of the art guestrooms and suites. These modern and rejuvenating guestrooms take advantage of the hotel’s sweeping river views.  
Mackay Regional Forum, hosted by ibis Mackay Hotel
Building Brisbane Forum, hosted by Star Entertainment Group Treasury Hotel Brisbane
Coffs Harbour Regional Forum, hosted by BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort
Upcoming Events

For more information on any of the above events, please visit our events calendar at www.aaoa.com.au or contact events@aaoa.com.au
New AAoA Members

On behalf of the AAoA Board and team, we would like to welcome our newest members -
  • API Holiday Homes (QLD)
  • Budget on the Lake Motor Inn (VIC)
  • CBD Motor Inn (NSW)
  • Coast Motel & Apartments (SA)
  • Colonial Motor Inn Bairnsdale (VIC)
  • Comfort Apartments South Perth (WA)
  • Comfort Inn Premier (NSW)
  • Comfort Inn Warrnambool International (VIC)
  • Costa Rica Motel (NSW)
  • Crowne Plaza Canberra (ACT)
  • Diplomat Hotel (ACT)
  • Esk Wivenhoe Motor Inn (QLD)
  • Limes Hotel Brisbane (QLD)
  • Moore Park Beach Motel (QLD)
  • NRMA Yarrawonga Mulwala Holiday Park (NSW)
  • Quality Inn City Centre (NSW)
  • Quality Inn Heritage on Lydiard (VIC)
  • Quality Inn The George Hotel Ballarat (VIC)
  • Roydons Motor Inn (NSW)
Our Sponsors and Supporters