The Government's announcement of a tourism support package last week does not achieve the sector wide support the entire industry has been calling for.
In the combined efforts of your Board and the team here at the Association we called for a continuation of industry wide wage subsidy program for those sections of our industry that have had at least a 50% decrease in revenues when compared to 2019. It was therefore extremely disappointing to see the Government supports only those aviation workers with a direct subsidy and it is something we have taken up directly with the Government.
What is clear is that the Government has heard us loud and clear, the recent package is not sufficient and must be expanded. In speaking with all major TV networks, print and radio stations and in depth interview on Sky news and the Project, I spoke directly to the need to expand the package to ensure our highly skilled workers were treated the same as aviation employees.
On a positive note, in February we kicked off our in-person event series with member meetings with the NSW Tourism Minister, NSW Market Update at the Intercontinental in Sydney and our kick off 2021 networking drinks on the Gold Coast. Later this month, we will also hold our Victorian Market Update and we have many more planned throughout the year. You can view our forward event calendar on our website.
While we continue to innovate our hotels to meet a new and changed market, you can be assured that your association continues to advocate for your needs at all levels of government.
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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Stay Safe Directory
The Victorian and South Australian State Advisory Board continued to meet throughout last year and it was clear that we as an industry would require to provide a quality assurance to our guests.
This led to the creation of the Accommodation Association Stay Safe Directory. The Stay Safe Directory lists properties that have self-assessed as having a plan that meets minimum requirements of those jurisdictions and have a COVID safe plan to ensure guests can book and stay with certainty. Importantly, this directory will direct guest to your hotel’s direct booking platform.
To join the Stay Safe Directory, your hotel will be required to upload your COVID Safe Plan to the Accommodation Association member portal. We will review and approve the plan within 48 hours. Once assessed your hotel will be listed with the COVID safe tick.
This service is complimentary to Accommodation Association members and for the next 90 days for non-members. All properties across the major brands will be included in the Directory.
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Tourism Package misses the mark for our Cities
With JobKeeper coming to an end on 31st March, our overall recovery is a focus of our advocacy.
Our ongoing and regular discussions with Treasury and other political leaders, the role and importance of international tourism and the domestic corporate market for our cities must drive the decision making of our political leaders. In the recent national accounts, it is clear that nearly 80% of our economy has recovered and certain parts of the government have put up the mission accompanied banner.
We know as a sector that this is far from true. We have now submitted a 2021 budget submission to government along the three themes I spoke to last year: Employee retention and recruitment, assets protection and management and returning confidence and growing demand.
If you haven’t already, I recommend you look at the summary document and if you know your Local MP give them a call and tell them directly the impact of government restrictions on your business.
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Reducing Redundancy Payments
The Accommodation Association will continue to advocate for relief measures to assist businesses recover from the devastating effects of the pandemic. However, of necessity, many properties are contemplating restructures and redundancies.
It is generally understood that eligible workers are likely to win an unfair dismissal claim if dismissed because of redundancy for reasons other than the persons job is no longer needed to be done by anyone.
Frequently neglected however, are the procedural processes which, by themselves, could result in unfair dismissal claims succeeding. Procedural processes require employers to:
· comply with obligation in a modern award or enterprise agreement to consult with affected employees (see Clause 38 of HIGA), and
· make every reasonable endeavour to redeploy affected employees.
Redundancy payments
Some employees, including casual employees and all employees of small businesses (with fewer than 15 employees) are excluded from the obligation to make redundancy payments. Other workers are entitled to redundancy payments on completion of at least one year’s service.
Redeployment and reducing redundancy payments
Commonly misunderstood is the fact that eligible employees are entitled to redundancy payments even if the employer finds alternative work for the employee.
To continue reading, please click here.
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Does registering a business name with ASIC secure my hotel's trading name?
Short answer, no. Registering a business name or company name with ASIC does not mean you 'own' the name or give you any rights in the name.
All registration with ASIC does is ensure someone else can't register an identical name. ASIC will still register similar (and often confusingly similar) names.
For example, 'Mullins Lawyers' is registered with ASIC but they would still allow another firm to register as 'Mullins Lawyers (WA)' as the ASIC rules do not regard those names as similar.
The only way to properly protect your name is to register a trade mark.
Registering a trade mark will:
- mean your business name becomes your intellectual property and you can sell or licence others to use your trade mark;
- help you stop competitors from using the same name, using a similar mark and/or damaging your reputation; and
- secure and enforce your rights in relation to domain names, hackers and cybersquatters (which is increasingly important as we move further into a digital marketplace).
Does your hotel have a registered trade mark?
If would like to check that your hotel's name is secure (for free), contact our Hotels & Accommodation Industry Leader, Partner, Matthew Bradford, at mbradford@mullinslawyers.com.au.
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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.
- 16 March - VIC Economic & Hotel Market Update - Sofitel Melbourne on Collins
- 24 March - Destination NSW Marketing & Events Update - Swissotel Sydney
For a full list of events, please click here. |
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NoVacancy Set to Welcome Accommodation Professionals & Suppliers in June
NoVacancy is Australia’s largest and most important conference & exhibition for those who own, manage and operate hotels, motels, resorts, serviced apartments and other accommodation properties.
Taking place at ICC Sydney on the 1-2 June 2021, NoVacancy brings together 5,000+ decision-makers annually with a unified focus on modernising properties, enhancing guest experience and maximising profits through free education, networking and innovative product and service solutions.
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Potentially Save Lives in Your Hotel with our Heart Safe Hotel Program Initiative
Our Heart Safe Hotel Program initiative is all about raising awareness and education about the very important 3 STEPS to potentially save lives in hotels across Australia in case of a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) out-of-Hospital.
On average, 575 Australians suffering a SCA every week and ONLY 1 out of 10 WILL SURVIVE!
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New Creation Printing
NCP continues to supply a complete range of Covid Safe Collateral.
- Floor decals
- Signage
- Menus
- Door Seals
- Mirror Clings
- Food Delivery Bags & Stands
- Remote Control Wraps
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Hotel Solutions
Vingcard Essence with Lockwood Brass Levers
The ideal solution for hotel doors. Vingcard Essence revolutionizes the electronic lock industry by housing all lock components, including the reader and mobile access board, inside the door and therefore, reaching the maximum minimalistic expression, the true essence of an electronic lock.
Available with all Lockwood Brass levers. Vingcard Essence is available from ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, click here for more information.
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AHS - Key City Hotel Market Outlook
AHS Advisory has recently completed the quarterly update of our capital city hotel market outlooks. Results of statistical modelling based on December 2020 data suggests an improvement in the medium to a longer term outlook, with annual RevPAR improvements ranging between 0.1% and 19.6% by 2024 compared to our September 2020 forecast.
In the shorter term, a better understanding of intermittent state border closures and delayed return of international visitation has resulted in a slower return of hotel demand resulting in a more subdued shorter term outlook compared to our September 2020 forecast.
Click here to continue reading.
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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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Press Hub
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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Lifestylepanel - IoT Solutions
Transform your digital guest engagement & experience with Lifestylepanel (LSP).
A flexible and modular approach to seamlessly integrate your Marketing, Hotel Facilities, Casting & TV.
Click here to find out more.
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