Business support needed: Accommodation operators call for help
Many businesses have been decimated by lockdowns and border restrictions.
Struggling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, hotels and accommodation providers are calling for help from state and federal governments.
In New South Wales, the latest COVID-19 outbreak has left many tourism and accommodation businesses out of work. Now Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA) has called on the NSW state government to provide business support.
“NSW hotels have operated under restricted trading conditions for 17 months, and most hotels have been closed or operating at sub 2 percent occupancy since 26 June,” said Michael Johnson, CEO of TAA NSW.
According to Mr Johnson, current circumstances aren’t sustainable, and without business support, Sydney hotels will soon begin to see mass staff redundancies.
“Greater Sydney members have suffered a decline in revenue of between 70 percent and 90 percent compared to July 2019, yet 37 percent of these businesses are ineligible for any government assistance due to eligibility criteria which does not take into account international ownership arrangements,” Mr Johnson said, citing a recent survey by TAA NSW.
While Mr Johnson said that hotel and accommodation providers were grateful for the business support already offered by state and federal governments, existing support measures just weren’t enough to keep many businesses afloat.
“The reality is, while the rooms sit empty, the bills keep piling up,” he said.
In addition to calling for new business support packages to improve financial stability of the accommodation sector, TAA is also asking the NSW state government to allow hotels to set their own staff vaccination mandates. The organisation said that such measures would provide assurance of COVID-19 safety.
“A recent survey of TAA NSW general managers and their staff found more than 80 percent believe a vaccinated workforce is vital for the safety and well-being of employees and guests,” Mr Johnson said, reporting that 81 percent of respondents thought vaccination should be a requirement for all hotel staff.
As hospitality and accommodation operators continue to navigate the effects of ongoing lockdowns, it is hoped that new business support measures will soon be introduced to help the sector look towards post-pandemic recovery.
Other articles:
Calls for JobKeeper to support outback tourism businesses
Industry support for pandemic-affected businesses
AccomNews is not affiliated with any government agency, body or political party. We are an independently owned, family-operated magazine.
TAA and Govt seem to have overlooked Brisbane city based motels and hotels for reconsideration towards re implementing the mandatory code of conduct / mortitorium re commercial leasing.
simply nsw/vic recieving Govt mortitorium/code of conduct in lockdowns but qld is locked out this has the same effect with devistating financial impact that is just as bad as initial inpact of covid, landlords still demanding there full rent as motels go broke, This URGENTLY needs to be implimented as more doors are closing for good in the Brisbane area mainly near brisbane airport
Hello Mr Johnston
May i add to my previous email just to outline Brisbane City /Airport Motels, are operating under 10% occupancy and have done for over a year with no support from anyone, the Govt, TAA and media seem to follow a good story but seem to have overlooked Brisbane Airport/Cruise ship based motels.
I am seeing motels closing and landlords waving there leases in the air like white flags demanding there rent, simply we need URGENT financial and fed Govt support re reintroduce the code of conduct/ mortitorium support before we all go broke.
Any assistance you could muster would be greatly appreciated