Years Serving the SA Hotel Industry
From the President DAVID BASHEER – AHA|SA PRESIDENT
Proper Compensation Must Be Planned Now The AHA|SA acknowledges and appreciates the $100 million support package for all business impacted during the seven-day lockdown. But as most other businesses get back to normal, hotels of all sizes have been left behind. Even when we reopen, restrictions such as 25% capacity, sit down drinking and compulsory mask use make trading conditions marginal at best. Hotel operators and our staff should not lose their income and in many cases, go into debt, while keeping their fellow Australians safe. While hotels want to continue to play our role in a safe COVID-19 recovery, a ‘set and forget’ approach is not appropriate. For as long as we have capacity limitations to our business, we need financial compensation. A revenue drop below 30% appears to be the established benchmark. The AHA|SA believes an eligible business should receive support from $1,500 per week up to a maximum of $10,000 per week. Similar support exists in NSW and Victoria.
Border closures are crippling tourism and yet office workers are told to stay home. It is very clear that CBD venues, particularly accommodation venues must not be a victim of a set and forget policy. Many of our regional and remote venues are paying a very disproportionate price for the ‘sins’ of the metropolitan area and certain regional issues. I would urge the transition committee to make a more compassionate risk assessment when dealing with communities hundreds of kilometres away from any COVID-19 cases. NON-ESSENTIAL? As business realists we understand our operations will continue to be compromised for some time to come. But if we are viewed as non-essential, subject to lockdowns and sentenced to loss-making restrictions, there needs to be a clear formula for financial protection from governments. In addition, it must be understood ahead of restriction changes. The time for making it up as we go along is long past.
CITY AND COUNTRY; NOT THE SAME
I am also putting on the public record my objection to the term “non- essential”. “Non-essential” is a term coined by the people making all of these decisions. They classify themselves as essential. They have not lost a single hour of salary. They do a fantastic job but they do not struggle to pay the rent.
CBRE revealed that office vacancy rates in the Adelaide CBD are the second highest in the country at 12.7%.
On the other hand, in this ‘new normal’, apparently our family and small businesses are all non -essential.
The AHA|SA is not a lone voice with key peak bodies for business, tourism, accommodation and wine regions joining the call.
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