Member Strength Is Our Greatest Asset

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From The President

The AHA|SA recently held its 153rd Annual General Meeting.

Think about that for a moment: 153 years!

We have been a force to be reckoned with since 1871. In fact, we came into existence just 14 years after the formation of the SA Parliament.

It’s a history to be proud of and I felt honoured to advise the 2024 AGM that we had achieved record membership in the preceding year. This signals the continuing strength of the AHA|SA.

Such impressive strength comes from the on-going support and commitment of all members.

That membership is diverse, and this was illustrated by the fact we held the AGM at the The National Wine Centre - a jewel in the crown amongst our function venues. However, we also see increasing diversity in the challenges that confront us.

I have written about those at length in past issues of Hotel SA, and members need no prompting of them--so I won’t bore you by repeating the list.

However, as I said at the AGM lunch in answer to a question, we know there is a new fight around the corner but we don’t know what it is. That’s because our industry is always under attack in today’s society, so we must be prepared.

Financially, we had a sustained strategy after our massive financial commitment in the 2018 ‘Xenophon’ State election to rebuild our war chest over four years, which, despite the Covid uncertainty, we achieved.

It has always been our commitment to be financially ready for ‘the next big fight’ whatever and whenever that may be. So, great credit for to Secretary/Treasurer Sam McInnes, Finance Manager Alisa Wenzel, CEO Anna Moeller and the entire AHA|SA team for the solid state of our current finances.

It is critical the AHAISA can never be hamstrung by a lack of funds when we are in any battle of Industry survival.

New Battleground

A Federal and then a State election are looming in the next 22 months.

Our big fight in both in these elections will not be about Labor or Liberal.

Rather, it will focus on the worrying growth and influence of the Teals, the Greens and other like-minded Independents.

It is of significance that the backer of the Teals, Simon Holmes a Court’s Climate 200, last month sold out launch event here in Adelaide, signalled an intention to move their into South Australia.

The AHA State Council over the next nine months will complete its Election wish list. Those policies will be presented to all State Parliamentarians well ahead of the March 2026 election, as we look for a Vision to 2030 for our sector.

We don’t know what challenge or opportunity may be around the corner… but we will be ready.

In March, AHA personnel, including National CEO Stephen Ferguson and Accommodation Australia CEO Michael Johnson participated in a virtual meeting of the World Alliance of Hospitality Advocates.

Representatives of hotel associations attended from the UK, USA, Canada, France, EU, Greece, and West Indies.

The major takeout was many of the issues our members face here are actually shared Worldwide hotel issues.

A major discussion point was the lack of housing which, apart from the very real social issue it has created, is negatively affecting labour supply.

One of the reasons is the rapid expansion of the short-term accommodation market with sites like Air b n B, and Stayz and others seeing housing withdrawn from the traditional rental market.

Canada and New York City are leading the way in seeking workable solutions.

Canada are now denying income tax deductions for expenses relating to short term stays including interest expenses.(ie no negative gearing on Airbnb properties). Many Canadian provinces have brought in further measures that has seen 18000 short term rentals removed from sale and made available to renters.

New York City has enacted ‘Local Law’ 18’. Hosts cannot rent out an entire apartment or home to visitors for fewer than 30 days.

Furthermore, the host must stay in the same apartment or home as their guests and have no more than two guests per stay.

This move has seen 83% of short-term rentals returned to the long term rental market. A game changer!

Labour shortages was a intense topic. It became very obvious how Internationally competitive the world-wide market it, particularly with chefs and cooks. As we are aware, Australia is being smashed in this regard.

Other shared issues discussed with our overseas colleagues included sustainability, migration numbers and technology, particularly regarding AI.

The Federal Government over the past 12 months has gone though an extensive IR review with its Closing the Loopholes legislation. This move towards more union friendly arrangements has also been seen in other countries.

The next catch up for that group will be at the end of September.