3 minute read
From the General Manager
from Hotel SA May 2022
by Boylen
Caption: AHA|SA General Manager Ian Horne, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas and AHA|SA President David Basheer.
Restriction Free!
IAN HORNE – AHA|SA GENERAL MANAGER
WATCH VIDEO: https://youtu.be/ALgnAsfv9Ow
The industry bounce-back appears to be beating all expectations considering that in late January 2022 venues were still restricted to just 25% seated capacity.
In just over three months, all venue limits have been removed as has the close contact requirements that saw so many of our staff in isolation for seven days without even being infected by the virus.
The accommodation occupancy is enjoying a resurgence, supported by a return of the corporate traveller. It’s also been greatly assisted by some tremendous conferences like the recent AHICE event (that’s the Australasian Hotel Industry Conference and Exhibition) which boasted 1200 delegates, over 100 panellists and speakers, with 96% being from interstate or overseas. A minimum of two nights meant a significant injection of cash into the CBD and accommodation hotels.
Throw in two long weekends of Easter and ANZAC Day, which saw the non-metro benefit significantly from South Australians extending their break and enjoying the offerings of the regions.
Then Mother’s Day, which by all reports, was a record with many hotels, pubs and restaurants booked out well in advance.
Let’s hope the recovery continues and let’s make sure our staff, our customers and ourselves continue to update our vaccination requirements as they become available because it is clear that only a largely total vaccinated population will see this virus contained.
No one wants another lock down or a return of restrictions.
151ST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Annual General Meeting was held at the Hilton International Hotel on 2 May 2022 and the highlight was a lunchtime address by the Premier of South Australia, Hon Peter Malinauskas MP.
The Premier shared his vision and fielded questions about the importance of tourism and hospitality to the economy and also his very strong position on increasing SA’s population.
For those able to attend, it was an opportunity to reflect on two years of COVID-19 and all the challenges at so many levels, and importantly hear from the Association’s President, David Basheer, as to our optimistic view of the future.
No doubt the Association is operating with record membership and our members reflect an increasingly diversified range of businesses that see real value in the advice, advocacy and support that the AHA|SA provides.
Our core membership remains hotels, but we do have an Independent Packaged Liquor Group representing freestanding bottle shops and a growing small bar sector who are benefiting from the support and expertise that only the AHA|SA can provide.
And as announced at the recent AGM, National AHA are finalising an amalgamation with the Accommodation Association of Australia to form a new accommodation entity within AHA known as Accommodation Australia. This move can only further cement our role as the peak hospitality and accommodation representative both nationally and in SA.
Perhaps we can look forward to the next two years being significantly better than the last! Cheers!
