December 2024
NSW Set to Regain Crown as Australia's Visitor Economy Powerhouse
11 December 2024: The Western Sydney International Airport and the road to a $91 billion NSW Visitor Economy by 2037 were the key focus of a recent Accommodation Australia NSW breakfast update.
Industry Platform Unveiled to Help Address Workforce Shortages in Tourism, Hospitality and Travel "eeger - where people people grow"
09 December 2024: The Tourism, Hospitality and Travel industries in Australia are set to experence a transformative shft with the announcement today of eeger - a careers and training platform designed to address the challenges of workforce development, skills shortages and career growth in these vital sectors.
November 2024
New Look Accommodation Australia Board Ready for an Election Year
28 November 2024: The Accommodation Australia Board has rejuvenated itself in the lead up to the 2025 Federal election, with four new appointments boosting experience and nationwide representation for the peak industry body. This week’s board meeting in Brisbane saw the appointment of EVT Area General Manager Joanna Carruthers, Marriott Area Vice-President Australia, New Zealand & Pacific – Jason Nuell, Ovolo Group Chief Operating Officer Wayne Taranto and Crown Hotels & Resorts Executive General Manager Perth Andrew Cairns.
“Best of the Best” Celebrated in Hotel Industry’s Own “State of Origin”
25 November 2024: South Australia has scored big at the hotel industry’s own ‘grand final’, with SA hotels winning both Regional and Metropolitan Hotel of the Year awards at the Australian Hotels Association Awards for Excellence in Brisbane tonight. More than 700 VIP and industry guests gathered at The Star Brisbane late this afternoon for what AHA national President David Canny said was the hotel industry’s very own “state of origin.”
Hotel Leaders Gather for Market Update
20 November 2024: More than 120 General Managers and other senior staff from the State’s leading hotels gathered at the Hilton Sydney recently for the Accommodation Australia NSW Hotel Market and Economic Outlook Update. AA NSW General Manager Stacey McBride said the overall message from all four guest speakers was positive, despite the ongoing cost of living pressures and global uncertainty.
Industry Welcomes New Tourism Australia Board Appointments
20 November 2024: Peak industry bodies the Australian Hotels Association and Accommodation Australia have welcomed the latest appointments to the board of Tourism Australia. AHA National CEO Stephen Ferguson said the appointment of Accommodation Australia’s National Policy Director Jenny Lambert to the board was great news, along with the appointment of serving board member, former AHA South Australia CEO Ian Horne, to Deputy Chair.
Hotel Occupancy Stable Despite Cost of Living Pressure
11 November 2024: The nation’s peak accommodation body said new data shows hotel stays were stable in September despite cost-of-living pressures slowing growth. Accommodation Australia CEO James Goodwin said the latest data market report from STR shows September 2024 occupancy at 72.7% up just 0.6% on September 2023 (72.1%).
Sydney Marathon World Status A Win for Accommodation
04 November 2024: NSW’s peak accommodation body has welcomed news the Sydney Marathon has been added to the Abbott World Marathon Majors series. Sydney is the seventh city, and the only one in the southern hemisphere, to qualify for the elite status which includes marathons in; Boston, Tokyo, Berlin, Chicago, London and New York City.
October 2024
Card Surcharges
15 October 2024: Today the Federal Government announced it is prepared to ban debit card surcharges subject to further work by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and safeguards to ensure both small businesses and consumers can benefit from lower costs.
Skills, Training & Western Sydney Growth Top Agenda At Peak Accommodation Meeting
10 October 2024: Migration, skills, training, apprenticeships - and a renewed focus on Western Sydney – dominated discussion at the recent Accommodation Australia NSW State Advisory Committee meeting. The committee - representing iconic brands and hotels such Sydney Harbour Marriott, PARKROYAL Darling Harbour and Parramatta, Hyatt Regency, Trilogy Hotels, Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide, Serene Capital, Nesuto Hotels and Apartments, Salter Brothers Hospitality and Powerhouse Tamworth by Rydges - met at Capella, Sydney.
September 2024
Third Runway a Boost for Tourism and Accommodation
13 September 2024: Accommodation Australia has welcomed news Melbourne Airport’s long-awaited third runway has been cleared for construction by the Federal Government. Accommodation Australia (Victoria) General Manager, Dougal Hollis said the key infrastructure project, scheduled to commence construction in 2025 and open in 2031, could not come at a better time for Melbourne.
August 2024
Hotels Named Some of Australia’s Best Places To Work
26 August 2024: Two hotel groups have been named in the list of top ten best places to work in the nation. Hilton was ranked as the number two best place to work in Australia by global authority on workplace culture, ‘Great Place To Work’ and Marriott International was named number four.
A New Erra As The Accommodation Australia Board Meets in Canberra
19 August 2024: The Accommodation Australia Board has cemented in its new team in at its national board meeting in Canberra, with in-coming CEO James Goodwin attending his first meeting, and a new Board Vice-Chair elected in IHG Hotels and Resorts’ Emma Hynes. The full board met at Hotel Realm in Canberra recently for the first time since the resignation of CEO Michael Johnson and Vice-Chair Sean Hunt of Marriott.
New CEO for Nations Top Accommodation Body
07 August 2024: Accommodation Australia (AA) has a new CEO, with respected former boss of the Australian Airports Association, James Goodwin, to head the peak accommodation body from 1 September 2024. Mr Goodwin’s appointment follows an extensive recruitment process following the retirement of former CEO Michael Johnson in June. He will be the second head of AA – which formed in July 2023 following the merger of Tourism Accommodation Australia and the Accommodation Association of Australia.
July 2024
Records Smashed at Accommodation Industry’s Illustrious Night of Nights
19 July 2024: Records were smashed at this year’s illustrious Accommodation Australia NSW Awards for Excellence as the state’s best properties and operators were celebrated before a crowd of more than 700 guests. Attended by political leaders including NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, Minister for Roads, Special Minister of State and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council The Hon. John Graham, MLC, VIP guests, and industry operators, the star-studded event was held at The Fullerton Hotel in Sydney’s CBD on Thursday, 18 July.
Industry Welcomes Melbourne Airport Rail Link News
09 July 2024: Accommodation Australia has welcomed news the Melbourne Airport Rail Link has been cleared for construction, following the resolution of an impasse between the State Government and Melbourne Airport and agreement that an above ground rail option will be constructed by 2033.
June 2024
VIVID Sydney Heats Up Occupancy Rates Despite Poor Weather
25 June 2024: Following the largest opening night on record, the annual Vivid Sydney event once again provided a much-needed boost for Sydney hotels, attracting thousands of visitors to the CBD and bolstering hotel occupancy rates. Now in its 14 year, Vivid Sydney is the Southern Hemisphere’s leading multi-artform festival, lighting up some of the city’s most iconic locations and showcasing the talent of innovative artists, culinary talent, contemporary musicians and thought leaders.
Tourism Boost Good News For Accommodation
18 June 2024: Accommodation Australia NSW General Manager Stacey McBride said increased support for tourism, nightlife and major events in today’s state budget was welcome news for the Accommodation sector. Ms McBride said Destination NSW will receive $324.5 million in funding and will prioritise the development of a ‘Foundation Events’ category, recognising and supporting the role that key events play.
May 2024
Accommodation Australia CEO Michael Johnson Steps Down
27 May 2024: After more than five years leading the nation’s peak industry bodies for accommodation, Accommodation Australia CEO Michael Johnson has announced his retirement. Mr Johnson spent four years as national and NSW head of Tourism Accommodation Australia. He was appointed CEO of Accommodation Australia in January 2023, before the amalgamation between TAA and Accommodation Association of Australia on 1 July 2023.
Market Update Tourism Strong Despite Cost of Living Concerns
24 May 2024: Holiday travel has come back strongly in the first quarter of 2024 despite current cost of living concerns, with holiday spend now exceeding 2019. Tourism experts recently delivered what could only be described as a positive outlook for the industry, including a significant boost to business travel, at yesterday’s Accommodation Australia NSW market update and economic outlook breakfast held at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.
Migration Changes Will Impact Hospitality Services Nationwide
15 May 2024: Accommodation Australia and the Australian Hotels Association have warned the decrease in permanent migration planning levels in the Federal Budget will have a direct impact on hospitality services, especially in the regions. Last night’s Budget announced a decrease in the permanent migration planning levels from 190,000 per year down to 185,000.
April 2024
Developer Hired for One-Stop Digital Platform
15 April 2024: Accommodation Australia’s one-stop digital platform for hospitality, travel and tourism is one step closer to reality with the engagement of technology company, Tomahawk. The digital platform, is being developed by Accommodation Australia thanks to a $10 million grant from the Australian Government, executed last year.
Accommodation Australia NSW Partners with NOVACANCY for Second Year
04 April 2024: Accommodation Australia NSW is proud to celebrate the second year of its Platinum partnership with Australia's premier hotel and accommodation event, NoVacancy. This ongoing collaboration underscores a mutual dedication to fostering knowledge exchange, empowering industry experts, and driving a more sustainable future in the hotel and accommodation sector.
March 2024
Accommodation Australia Calls for Fairness on any Short Stay Levy
18 March 2024: Accommodation Australia (AA) is calling on the NSW Government to exclude hotels from any proposed short term rental levy aimed at easing the on-going housing crisis. The call comes in response to submissions made by accommodation platforms Airbnb and Stayz to a NSW Government inquiry asking any new levy be applied to all accommodation providers including hotels.
February 2024
Accommodation Australia Appoints New Chair
21 February 2024: The nation’s peak accommodation body, Accommodation Australia, has appointed respected industry figure David Mansfield as new Chair of its National Board. Mr Mansfield was elected at a board meeting in Sydney yesterday and will replace outgoing Chair Leanne Harwood.
January 2024
Accommodation Australia Finalist in 2024 ASURIA Awards
31 January 2024: Accommodation Australia NSW is honoured to have been named as a finalist in this year’s Asuria Employer Awards. Recognised in the category of Innovative Recruitment Solutions, the nomination focuses on the development of an end-to-end, pre-employment and recruitment model intended to deliver consistent local, regional and national employment solutions for Accommodation Australia Members.
Accommodation Australia Honours Out-going Chair
18 January 2024: Accommodation Australia (AA) has paid tribute to the hard work and dedication of its inaugural Chair, industry icon Leanne Harwood, who has announced her resignation from the position. AA CEO Michael Johnson said Ms Harwood had been offered a new job opportunity within her own IHG organisation and would be re-locating to the United States next month.
Concert Cap Hits Right Note for Accommodation Hotels
17 January 2024: The NSW Government’s decision to lift the cap on concerts for the SCG precinct and Allianz Stadium hits the perfect note for the accommodation sector. Accommodation Australia NSW Manager Stacey McBride said the sector is still slowly recovering from the pandemic and concerts and major events bring much needed tourists back into the CBD.
Hotels Welcome Recovery Package for Far North Queensland
08 January 2024: The nation’s peak accommodation body, Accommodation Australia has welcomed a Federal and Queensland State government initiative designed to drive tourism back into Far North Queensland. Discounted airfares and accommodation are part of the $5 million recovery package set to entice visitors back to Cairns and support tourism operators impacted by Tropical Cyclone Jasper and recent flooding.