RUDD GOVERNMENT TAKES TOURISM SERIOUSLY

The Australian Hotels Association has welcomed the appointment of Mr Martin Ferguson AM MP as Tourism Minister in the new Rudd Cabinet.
On behalf of the hotel industry, AHA National Accommodation Division President Patrick Griffin has written to Mr Ferguson congratulating him on his appointment. The AHA has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with him and looks forward to having ongoing dialogue with Mr Ferguson in his new capacity.
AHA Director National Affairs, Bill Healey, says it says it is particularly pleasing that Mr Ferguson will be a Cabinet member.
“The announcement shows that the new government understands the importance of Australia’s $82 billion tourism industry to the national economy,” he said. “Tourism is the ultimate renewable product and projections point to strong growth over the next decade.”
The new government is already committed to maintaining extra funding provided under the Tourism White Paper. This money will provide the necessary resources to ensure Australian tourism businesses will prosper in an increasingly competitive international market. It will enable Australia to attract an increasing numbers of visitors from the fast-growing countries to our north.
“The AHA and the broader Tourism industry have had regular contact with Mr Ferguson during his time as Shadow Minister,” Mr Healey said. “We have always found him approachable and willing to listen to the legitimate concerns of the industry.
“We were keen to ensure that he kept the position in government. It is pleasing that the new minister will have the necessary knowledge and industry network to hit the ground running. His other areas of responsibility – resources and energy – will provide him with special insights into two major challenges in our industry – climate change and the impact of a rising Australia dollar.”
The AHA was also pleased that the Government has grouped employment, workplace relations and education under one minister.
“Labor shortages will be a continuing challenge for the Australian economy,” Mr Healey said. “The solutions will only come from a “whole-of-government” approach and close consultation with business and the broader community. Placing these key ministries under the stewardship of the Deputy Prime Minister shows that the government is serious about this challenge.”

CAMPAIGN CONTINUES AGAINST ILLEGAL LETTING

The AHA is continuing to campaign against illegal letting of short-stay accommodation.
On behalf of the hotel industry, the AHA has implemented a number of initiatives to increase awareness of what is an important issue for accommodation businesses and the tourism industry in general.
Here are some examples of steps the AHA has taken to try to combat the problem:

• The AHA (NSW) has established a website that assists people to report instances of illegal letting taking place. The AHA (NSW) has also generated significant coverage of this issue in the NSW media, while it has pushed for the establishment of a cabinet sub-committee to investigate illegal letting;
• The Queensland Hotels Association (QHA) has written to the Brisbane City Council to raise concerns about the conversion of a residential apartment building to hotel accommodation;
• The AHA (SA) has written to the Adelaide City Council and Holdfast Bay Council (which oversees the Glenelg tourist area) requesting information about the zoning of several properties that are currently providing short-stay accommodation. The AHA (SA) has also made the operators of the accommodation booking website, www.wotif.com, aware of the industry’s concerns about the legitimacy of some of the accommodation providers it lists; and
• During his annual Christmas keynote address to politicians and business leaders in Adelaide, AHA (SA) President Peter Hurley said: “It must be ensured that both now and in the future, residential apartments do not become virtual hotels. It undercuts our business, creates issues surrounding insurance and building fire safety, and damages our tourism brand.”

On behalf of members, the AHA will continue to monitor developments on this issue and attempt to ensure that the appropriate government authorities in all States and Territories are vigilant when it comes to enforcing planning laws.

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