Decade of Opportunity for Management Rights
- Monday, 21 November 2011 08:09
Written by Chris Ward, President, ARAMA-
Article Read: 1462
The last month has been an important one for the all those stakeholders in the management rights industry as there have been some monumental announcements which impact importantly on the short and long term future for our enterprises and investments.
The announcement of the 2018 Commonwealth Games for the Gold Coast was important and vital economic news and it will be monumental inc changing the economic marketplace in south east Queensland and indeed the whole of the state as the 1982 games highlighted.
Queensland grew up as a result of the 1982 games and Brisbane and the state took up Expo 88 and revamped the entire CBD with the Myer Centre and the movement back into the capital of new holiday and permanent accommodation and the creation of Southbank and the Cultural Centre.
The opportunity exists to repeat the major transition over the next seven years and beyond, and with our industry allies the tourist destination which is South East Queensland can be reinvigorated and dramatically expanded. ARAMA will be working hard to play its role with all the key stakeholders behind the games initiative and Queensland tourism to make certain that our members and those in the management rights industry who join with ARAMA can build on the opportunity and generate new investors and new visitors to our destinations and attractions.
But of even greater importance has been the visit and commitment to Australia and the Pacific by the United States president Barack Obama and his message to Australia and the Pacific.
President Obama in his visit to Australia candidly admitted that the US had taken its eye off the Pacific countries and the trading and business opportunities that were now a growing part of the region and he and his government were determined to work with its ally Australia to improve the economic situation in the world's fastest growing region. I suspect that following his visit there will be renewed interest in Australia by Americans who have been attracted to the Atlantic and Europe in the past and have seen the disastrous results that have best that region since 2007.
The economic growth policies strategy and implementation by the unequivocal statement by the most powerful leader in the world and his commitment to be committed major partner is the most encouraging news this region has had for four years.
The global crisis that occurred in the northern hemisphere has adversely impacted on Australia and the region which has been in real terms-powerless to respond except in the resources industry and the ability to service to the two new powerhouse nations emerging in the region.
When Hilary Clinton, the US secretary of state visited the region 18 months ago and reported back to the US industries that they were being left behind in the Pacific it has taken some time for the US to really develop its Pacific policy. They have done so now and we know that with trade will come many benefits, including tourists and investors.
We are seeing the results of increased Asian visitors to our shores with Chinse visitor numbers up by 32% in the past year, admittedly from a small base. But the Obama visit along with the Asian continuing demand for expanding trade at all levels is the is the catalyst for the new decade of opportunity. We have been patiently waiting for the breaking of the economic shackles of uncertainty.
As one of the G20 countries, Australia is part of the global rival plan. The Obama commitment has further positioned Australian into the global spotlight.
Australian business and that includes the diverse property industry and its commitment to density living options, means that we in a key sector, that is diverse tourism accommodation, property asset management and the support of regional economic growth through responsible management rights.
The commitment by the US president to the rotation and build up of US troops will be a catalyst for family visits and a greater awareness that Australia is a great place to come and visit. But more than that, the fact that the shackles of frustration have been broken and the world's leading economy is prepared to come a drive new economic opportunities in our nation and in the region is just the message we have needed.
The challenge is for is all to seize the opportunities.
We at ARAMA want to ensure that we do not let the opportunities pass and we will be focussed on driving the future and building on the commitment of confidence that is now before us.
