Informer Issue 108

ISSUE N O . 108

AUSTRALIA’S BEST ACCOMMODATION INVESTMENT SHOWCASE

NUMBER ONE IN HOTEL FIT OUTS

SPECIALISING IN FURNITURE FOR HOTELS, MOTELS, SERVICED

SPECIALISING IN FURNITURE FOR HOTELS, MOTELS, SERVICED APARTMENTS, RESORTS AND REFURBISHMENTS.

OUR SERVICES

Furniture FF&E design concepts

3D Rendering & Furniture Overlays

Custom furniture and joinery

manufacture

Turnkey packages

Project Management

Inhouse quality control

If our front cover isn’t a dead giveaway, you may have guessed we’ve gone green this issue.

Since Informer last visited the topic of sustainable travel and tourism four years ago, several major changes have taken place. None more so than consumer behaviour. That’s you and me, the travelling public.

As you’ll read in our cover story, Covid has markedly altered our attitudes towards wellbeing, not just for hygiene but across a range of measures that includes sustainability.

Over 75 per cent of us now want to travel more sustainably, as recent surveys from the likes of Booking.com, Expedia and the World Tourism and Travel Council have found.

One thing that hasn’t changed is business fundamentals. Anyone who knows me knows I’m a practical person. Going green often makes sound, practical business sense.

Our story on caravan park Townsville Eco Resort is a great case in point. Owners Fiona and Martin Lidgett’s path towards sustainable business practices didn’t start with any highfalutin ideas to save the Earth but rather a practical problem they had regarding their bore water.

This led them down an energy savings pathway, and they’ve reaped the rewards by way of tens of thousands of dollars in savings … as well as helping to “save the planet.”

Perhaps if climate change solutions were put to people in simple practical terms, with much less hectoring that only serves to alienate even the most well-meaning of people, then we’d get much greater buy-in for a problem that affects us all.

In this issue, we also talk with Richard Crawford, who ResortBrokers knows very well from his long and storied career in the hotel industry. For the last six years, Richard has spearheaded Marriott’s expansion in our part of the world and has some big launches ahead of him this year, not least of which is the longanticipated opening in October of W Sydney in Darling Harbour.

Words_Ian Crooks, Chairman

Our feature looks at Richard’s incredible career in the hotel sector that started with his award-winning The Henry Jones Art Hotel in Hobart.

We also check-in at Hotel TOTTO in Wollongong, which signals the entry of Pi Capital Partners in the hotel space.

Principals Nick Potter and Jack Shaw share their vision for Pi as well as for Hotel TOTTO which was formerly the student digs of the University of Wollongong — though you’d never know it, so remarkable has been its transformation.

Finally, I’m delighted to let you know about two new additions to ResortBrokers. Firstly, we welcome onboard Rebecca Roeben as Chief Administrative Officer.

The Adventures of Ray

I’m sure our long-time readers will remember Ray Ironside. Ray was ResortBrokers’ Tasmanian broker for well over a decade until his retirement in 2018. People often talk about retirement as opening a new chapter in one’s life. In Ray’s case, he’s taken this advice literally by writing a book. Those of us who know Ray well know he’s a gifted writer. His first attempts at writing go back to his school days, but it wasn’t until Covid stopped the world that he was able to sit down and indulge his creative writing impulses again.

The result is a children’s book, The Adventures of Rolly, whose main character is a big blue exercise ball who has adventures with his friends, all the furniture in the house. It’s a fun book in the Toy Story genre, aimed at ages 4 to 9, but adults will get something out of it as well, I’m sure.

The book’s illustrations were drawn by Richard Pearce, whom Ray met on the first day of kindergarten and the two have remained lifelong friends since.

This is a newly created management position that anticipates the future growth and evolution of our nationwide company.

Rebecca joins us having previously held executive support and management positions in New Zealand, Sydney and London.

We’re also expanding our footprint by opening branch offices in Vanuatu and Bali later this year once we have all relevant licenses in place. Our broker there is an old friend of mine, Neil Hamilton, who I’ve known for over 55 years.

We’re really excited by both appointments and know Rebecca and Neil will do a terrific job representing ResortBrokers.

Enjoy the issue. END

I’d like to heartily congratulate Ray on the release of The Adventures of Rolly and wish him all the best for his future writing endeavours.

Print copies can be bought at www.raystales.com and e-books at Amazon.com.au.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

‘Should I Stay or Should I Go?’ is not only a great headbanger from The Clash I still like to rock out to, it’s a question we’re asked a lot these days from owners and operators who are contemplating a sale.

So, what do we tell them?

ResortBrokers has always prided itself on levelling with our clients and giving it to them straight. So, here goes: The truth is that deals at the moment aren’t easy. Banks are really taking their time to stress test buyers, and there’s no denying that interest rates have changed the amount of money a buyer can borrow, particularly owner-operators who are considering buying a home as well as a business.

On the vendors’ side, what we used to use to ascertain the value of a business or property isn’t the same. Past annual figures were routinely taken as predicting future viability; typically, a year for management rights and between three to five years for other accommodation asset types.

Four of the Best Across Australia

The Amazing Hotel Wollongong NSW

ResortBrokers has been engaged to sell this rising gem in a city that’s enjoying a remarkable renaissance. The dramatic reinvention of New South Wales’s third largest city is one of the great urban success stories of the last decade and The Amazing Hotel will be the epitome of this astonishing transformation. Scheduled for completion by Christmas 2025, this 96room upscale hotel will undoubtably be a future landmark in the heart of reenergised Wollongong. Our Greater Sydney broker Tim Mayoh and I are handling this sale. Watch this space.

Words_Trudy Crooks, Managing Director

Obviously, we’ve had the major disruption that was Covid followed by the remarkable rebound that saw the majority of accommodation businesses around the country post one of their best years of trade.

Naturally, buyers are concerned about whether those results are sustainable and are looking for consistent, positive trends. Consequently, buyers aren’t just verifying up to last financial year’s results during due diligence, they want to see your most recent figures, which means your last month.

So much for the medicine, here’s the candy. There’s still a lot of hungry buyers who want to get into the market. Our buyer enquiry has increased by 34 per cent from last year.

No surprise, high yielding businesses are getting the most attention. Leaseholds are back in favour; we’ve recorded a 44 per cent jump in leasehold sales on last financial year. During Covid, the demand for freehold going concerns was at an all-time high. Now, with the housing crisis, as well as buyers looking for good returns and strong cashflow, leaseholds are all the rage.

Annexe Apartments Brisbane QLD

This was a biggie. ResortBrokers sale of the management rights to the 81-unit Annexe Apartments in inner-city Brisbane set a new post-Covid record of $8.3 million for a short-let business. The sale eclipsed our previous record of $6.3 million for the 46-unit Manor Apartments Hotel. Props to our director Alex Cook and Brisbane broker Jeff Keast for delivering on this one. Huge effort, gents.

Same for management rights, particularly in regional locations that mostly deliver better returns than major metropolitan centres. Central and North Queensland are particularly strong, as well as Melbourne which represents better value than Brisbane at present.

Owners looking to sell are naturally worried that cost of living and interest rates mean they won’t get their dream price. After seeing their businesses through the pandemic, owners are understandably concerned they won’t get the returns for their hard work and perseverance over the last few years.

If you’re thinking of selling, it’s worth contemplating going to market sooner rather than later as no one knows how long the current high level of buyer demand will last. If you’re holding out for a dream price, I’d put three questions to you.

Firstly, do you have the financial means and the emotional and physical energy to get your business to where it needs to be to achieve that price? Secondly, if you can’t get your dream price in the current market, are you prepared to wait for the next cycle, which could be at least 18 to 24 months away, to

achieve it? Finally, what else could you be doing if you sold now and were sitting on cash?

ResortBrokers has always held the investment philosophy that money is made in the buying, not the selling. By this we mean the price you pay for an asset, whether it’s a hotel, motel, caravan park or management rights business, is going to be the major deciding factor in the profit you reap when you eventually sell.

Smart investors know that in the wealth creation business it’s not just about what you hold now but what can be achieved in the future. Being cashed up and ready to jump on the next great opportunity is where many astute vendors are now positioning themselves.

We believe there’s scope in the current market for vendors to seize good sales opportunities in order to set themselves up for their next big buying opportunities down the road. So, should you stay or should you go? No question, we’re in a challenging market. ResortBrokers doesn’t set the market, but we understand the market. Hopefully, these insights will help inform your decision to a question only you can answer. END

Quest Cronulla Beach Sydney NSW

Our research shows that demand for leaseholds across Australia has skyrocketed by an astonishing 44 per cent since the last financial year. We received several exceptional offers for the leasehold of Quest Cronulla Beach, which was a prime example of pricing something correctly and creating competition rather than going too high and allowing a listing to languish. In this environment, it’s best to meet the market and create competition to get your business sold rather than wasting time. Fantastic result for our NSW brokers Jacqueline Featherby and Tim Mayoh.

BIG4 Iluka on Freycinet Holiday Park Coles Bay TAS

Kudos to our National Operations Manager and Tassie agent Marissa von Stieglitz (who chalked up 10 years with us recently — congrats, M) for listing this exceptional caravan park nestled under the famous Hazards mountain range at the gateway to one of the Apple Isle’s greatest natural wonders. The vendors, Alex and Rosalie Kain, bought the park 34 years ago and made it their life’s work to get it into the impeccable state it’s in today. A true trophy asset in an irreplaceable location, so we expect a lot of interest for this one.

Our Top Recent Sales & Listings QTR 1

We’ve been experiencing exceptionally high demand across all accommodation asset classes. Here’s a selection of some of our biggest and best sales and listings.

LISTING

QUEST MACQUARIE PARK LEASEHOLD, MACQUARIE PARK, NSW

Premium leasehold of a 111-apartment hotel in Sydney’s Silicon Valley that is part of the largest and most successful apartment hotel brand in Australasia.

Jacqueline Featherby

M: 0424 497 056

Tim Mayoh

M: 0419 038 882

SOLD

PALM BEACH PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT RIGHTS, PALM BEACH, QLD

This business-only portfolio of 114 lots across four complexes in Palm Beach on the Gold Coast didn’t last long.

Todd Warner M: 0438 170 763

SOLD

PARKVIEW MOTOR INN LEASEHOLD, PARKES, NSW

With a 28-year lease in place, this 39-key Parkes motel on the Newell Highway offered its buyer a future of continued growth and stability.

Chris Kelly M: 0431 055 221

UNDER OFFER

BALLINA HOMESTEAD MOTEL LEASEHOLD, BALLINA, NSW

The 25-year lease of this 27-key 4-star Ballina beauty returning over $1M a year has been snapped up.

Miguel Bozina M: 0419 848 444

UNDER OFFER ROYDON BEACHFRONT APARTMENTS MANAGEMENT RIGHTS, TRINITY BEACH, QLD

An annual net profit of over $456K attracted a buyer of the management rights for this a stunning beachfront property in FNQ.

Shane Croghan M: 0418 451 006

UNDER OFFER

HARVEY RAINBOW CARAVAN PARK

FREEHOLD, HARVEY, WA

The only caravan park in Harvey offered its buyer a monopoly position and space to boot on an almost 12,500 sqm lot.

Blair Macdonald M: 0433 149 144

LISTING

PARK VIEW NORTH LAKES MANAGEMENT RIGHTS NORTH LAKES, QLD

Big body corporate salary of $340K and 218 apartments in high tenanted area of Brisbane’s North Lakes.

Alex Cook M: 0467 600 610

Jeff Keast M: 0414 669 007

LISTING

RIVERS ON THE PARK MANAGEMENT RIGHTS, TOOWONG, QLD

This well-maintained permanent management rights with associated real estate in trendy Toowong offers a solid net profit of over $313K.

Alex Cook M: 0467 600 610

Frank Matus M: 0435 742 698

LISTING

THE NAMBUCCA MOTEL FREEHOLD, NAMBUCCA HEADS, NSW

Rare freehold going concern of 29-room motel with huge upside in Nambucca Heads set along the serene Nambucca River.

Joshua Roberts M: 0439 654 464

Trudy Crooks M: 0477 882 210

UNDER CONTRACT BLAZING STUMP FREEHOLD, WODONGA, VIC

First time to market for this large-scale 66-key motel in thriving Wodonga with a net profit north of $1.1M. Trudy Crooks M: 0477 882 210

SOLD

POTTSVILLE BEACH MOTEL MANAGEMENT RIGHTS, POTTSVILLE, NSW

Pottsville’s best kept secret, only 150 m from the beach and boasting a solid net profit of $349K has sold.

Todd Warner M: 0438 170 763

SOLD

PROVINCIAL HOTEL LEASEHOLD, BALLARAT, VIC

The leasehold to this grand old dame built in 1909 and restored in French provincial style in 2018 has sold.

Trudy Crooks M: 0477 882 210

SOLD

BEST WESTERN AIRPORT 85 LEASEHOLD, ASCOT, QLD

This 25-key Brisbane motel is one of the best long-term consistent performers in the airport hotel market.

Nathan Eades M: 0448 339 920

From consumers to regulators to tech to financial institutions to government, the paths to a more sustainable accommodation industry are converging from all sides. Operators take note.

Words_John Miller

Informer last visited the topic of sustainable tourism and travel four years ago in Issue #94. We thought it timely to revisit the subject given the seismic changes that have drastically moved the dial on the sustainability front for our sector since then.

Meaningful action on the environment is now being exerted on accommodation operators from all directions. From bottom up, it’s consumers. From the top down, it’s consumer watchdogs. On the corporate front, it’s banks and other capital providers, as well as ESG reporting requirements. From government, it’s in the form of grants and other investment. With tech, it’s Google, Booking.com and other online travel agencies.

These powerful influences are converging. The environmental action expected of accommodation operators has moved far beyond asking their guests to reuse towels or turn out lights. There is now impetus on operators, large and small, by way of carrot-and-stick incentives from several different quarters, to meet environmental best practice.

Arguably, the most influential change of all is being exerted by tech. In 2013, Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel guidance platform, blazed the trail when it launched its GreenLeaders program that allowed hotels to spruik their environmentally friendly practices to travellers. But it was only in October 2021 that tech colossus Google came to the sustainable tourism party.

Now, Google’s hotel search similarly allows operators to promote their sustainability certifications on their search results page. Google

users can also click on a hotel’s “ecocertification” badge to drill down on specifics about a hotel’s sustainability efforts, including action on the Big Three: water, waste and energy.

More importantly, Google now includes “eco-certified” as a filter option. This allows environmentally conscious travellers to weed out uncertified operators. When a hotel is labelled “eco-certified” on Google, it means it has reported a certification from a third-party certifying agency that meets global standards. In November 2021, the world’s largest online travel agency, Booking.com, followed suit when it launched a similar “Travel Sustainable” filter and badge.

Tech’s message to accommodation operators is clear: if you want effective visibility on our platforms you need to be a good environmental citizen.

Tech is saying, Go green if you want to be seen, or at least be better seen.

“The corner was turned when Google and Booking.com decided the travel consumer was more interested in sustainability than just about anything else,” says Brad Cox, a sustainability travel and tourism veteran of 25 years, and now Director of Communications for Green Globe. “Post pandemic there has been a real rush to sustainability globally. In 2020, Google released a report to say one of the most searched topics was ‘sustainability.’

“It seems the pandemic drove the world to think more about sustainability as a lifestyle option. The online travel agencies then started to take it more seriously.

“You can’t underestimate Google’s global footprint and Booking.com once they started saying sustainability is now an important selection criteria. In the past, selection criteria was availability, dates, location, etcetera. Now, eco-certification has shot right up the list.”

“It has been said that ‘sustainability is the new digital,’” says Elissa Keenan, CEO of Ecotourism Australia.

“Remember when you had to buy your own Wi-Fi at a hotel? It’s standard now. That’s what sustainability has become, moving from a ‘nice to have’ to a ‘must have.’ It’s not a bolt on, not an afterthought, but must be an industry standard for tourism businesses.”

Influential change on the accommodation sector has come from the ground up through consumer behaviour. An overwhelming number of the travelling public are increasingly saying they want to travel more sustainably.

Booking.com’s Sustainable Travel Report 2023 found 76 per cent of travellers want to travel more sustainably. Expedia’s earlier Sustainable Travel Study 2022 put the number even higher at 90 per cent.

“What we do know is the global demand has absolutely changed,” says Keenan. “If the last couple of years has given us anything it’s that the way people are travelling and making their choices has shifted.

“They’re far more committed to the principles of sustainability, which is not just about leaving a place as good as it was, it’s about improving and protecting it for the future.”

The travelling public is also increasingly shunning destinations that do not measure up to environmental best practice. Expedia’s 2022 study found seven in 10 consumers avoided a travel destination due to scepticism that the commitment to sustainable practices was real.

The ability of operators to greenwash their accommodation businesses is also becoming increasingly difficult. In March 2023, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) put businesses on notice that it is cracking down on greenwashing.

The consumer watchdog conducted a sweep of 247 businesses that had made claims like “environmentally friendly,” “green”, or “sustainable” regarding their products and services.

The ACCC’s report found 57 per cent of those businesses had made dubious environmental claims. Going forward, the ACCA said it would now be requiring businesses to substantiate their claims by way of third-party certification, transparent supply chain information or reliable scientific reports.

How then does an accommodation operator certify that its environmental efforts meet the appropriate standard? Indeed, what is the standard?

The international standard bearer for sustainable travel and tourism is the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). The GSTC does not certify accommodation businesses directly, rather it establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria.

There are two ways accommodation operators can satisfy the criteria. The first is to develop their own proprietary environmental performance measurement platform and have the GSTC sign off on it. In 2019, Hilton became the first major hotel group in the world to have the GSTC recognise its inhouse system LightStay that tracks energy, carbon, water and waste data, as well as social impact metrics. Similarly, in November 2022, the GSTC recognised the inhouse standard of The Ascott Limited, which owns a controlling share in Quest Apartment Hotels, Australia’s leading apartment hotel brand.

The second, and far more widespread, way for accommodation operators to achieve certification is via a thirdparty certifier.

The good news for local operators is that Australia is exceptionally well served by first-rate certification bodies. The GSTC has recognised two homegrown organisations, EarthCheck and Ecotourism Australia, both of which are headquartered in Brisbane. Both organisations boast impressively long track records in environmental certification having been active in this space for several decades. The two organisations are competitors but friendly. A key difference is that EarthCheck is active in more than 70 countries worldwide (see our feature “The Jolly Green Giant”), while Ecotourism Australia operates in Australia and the Pacific.

Other GSTC-recognised certifiers based outside Australia, such as the Los Angeles-based Green Globe, are also active in Australia and across 80 countries.

The ACCC’s message to businesses is clear: Greenwashing will no longer wash.

“Third-party certifiers sit between the consumer, the investor and the property/business,” says Cox.

“The investor — the hotel owner, shareholders, etcetera — wants to know the business they’re putting money into is operating in the most environmentally friendly way and is socially engaged.

The consumer wants to know that too. Both want to make sure that for the contributions they’re making that the business is doing the right thing by being sustainably managed. If you don’t have third party certification you can basically say what you want. That’s the reason why we exist.”

As part of ISO quality assurance, certification groups such as EarthCheck, Ecotourism Australia and Green Globe do not conduct certification themselves. Rather, it is undertaken by outside, arms-length auditors. Auditing is an exacting process, often taking months for the initial audit. Sustainability certification has a shelf life of two or more years (it varies from certifier to certifier) and is renewed on follow-up audits.

Operators take heart. For those who haven’t yet embarked on certification because they feel they won’t measure up, help is out there. Ecotourism Australia, for instance, has its Strive for Sustainability Scorecard, which is not a certification but a benchmarking tool to help operators identify what they are doing well and opportunities for improvement.

“It’s a way for operators to dip their toe in the water and say, ‘I want to understand what I should be thinking about,’” says Keenan. “The power of that is that it’s trying to demystify the issue of sustainability. Because we get lots of, ‘Is it about carbon measurement?’, ‘What calculator should I use?’, ‘I don’t know where to start.’ So, it’s very much a way to support operators to become more aware but also give them some practical guidance on what they can do to improve over time.

“Certification is often a barrier to operators because they think, ‘Well I’m not as good as that,’ or, ‘I haven’t invested as much,’ or, ‘I’m not doing those ground-breaking programs.’ So, the Strive for Sustainability Scorecard is a nice pathway.

“It allows operators to see a snapshot of the global standard, but they can also see that it’s a first step. They can get a view of what they are doing well and areas they need to improve. If they’re not ready for certification, that’s OK, it’s about starting on the sustainability journey.”

“Similarly, EarthCheck launched a micro-credentialling course in sustainability in September 2022. EarthCheck’s online short courses break learning about sustainability into manageable chunks over a series of sessions that take 45-90 minutes each.

This micro-learning can be used as a precursor to certification or simply as a primer for accommodation business owners who want to know more about operating more sustainably.

What’s clear is that environmental certification is not only here to stay but rapidly evolving and sophisticating.

“Booking.com is now starting to segregate the third-party certified from those which are second party

and those who do it themselves,” says Cox. “Out of the 250,000 properties on their books only around 5,000 were third-party certified worldwide.

“But the number of business that intend to be certified, that are working towards certification are probably in the hundreds of thousands.

“It’s about accepting that travellers are looking for authentic and credible certification,” says Keenan. “Whether it’s mandated or not, there’s a definitive shift in this space.

“We’d much rather operators opt into this voluntarily and have their credentials validated so travellers can be assured they are selecting a business committed to sustainable practices. “But those pressures are going to continue. Not only to meet visitor expectations but the need for everyone operating in the visitor economy to protect our tourism product.” END

Green Finance

Environment ratings schemes for commercial buildings are nothing new, nor is sustainable finance, but has only come to the fore in the hotel sector in recent years.

It was only in 2019, when digital bank BBVA issued the world’s first hotel green bond. In 2020, Blackrock, the world’s biggest asset owner and manager with over US$9 trillion in assets under management, including shareholdings in major hotel groups such as Hilton, Park Hotels & Resorts and Red Lion Hotels, joined investment pact Climate Action 100+, an investor-led initiative to ensure the world’s largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters take necessary action on climate change.

Admittedly late to the sustainability cause, and fiercely criticised for it, Blackrock now manages more than $2 trillion in sustainable investments.

Hotel groups and owners, developers, financial institutions and investors are now part of an energy efficiency ecosystem that comprises the lifecycle of a hotel from inception through to operation. For new hotel builds of scale it will difficult if not impossible to get the backing of major financial institutions and fund managers unless the proposed development achieves a pass from independent building certifiers such as the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS), the Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC) or EarthCheck.

In June 2022, NABERS, which is administered by the NSW Government, launched its Sustainable Finance Criteria to assist banks, investors, non-bank lenders and building owners to structure sustainable finance transactions that result in real and measurable environmental impacts.

EarthCheck has similarly aligned its standards with the principles of green, social and sustainability linked loans.

Green Globe

Founded in 1993, Los Angelesheadquartered Green Globe has only recently started to make a foray into the Australian accommodation market as a sustainability certifier. In April 2023, the GSTC-recognised company certified its first Australian entity when it signed off on the Royal International Convention Centre at the Brisbane Showgrounds.

Dorsett Hotel Gold Coast, Dorsett Melbourne, Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, and Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour are all in the process of Green Globe certification.

Globally, Green Globe has certified more than 550 entities across 80 countries. For the last 12 years, Green Globe has been the exclusive provider of certifications for Mövenpick, which has been owned by Accor since 2018, as well as Club Med Villages.

In June 2023, Green Globe inked an agreement with Accor globally to be the preferred certifier of the hotel giant’s luxury brands, including Mövenpick, Fairmont, Sofitel and Raffles.

“We position ourselves for businesses who are considering sustainability as a long-term proposition,” says Brad Cox, Director of Communications for Green Globe. “We have many companies who apply to join, and we introduce them to what they have to do. We have more organisations drop out at that point than go through. And we’re fine with that because we’re not in the business of just giving a label to stick on the door. We would consider that greenwashing.

Ecotourism Australia

Founded in 1991, Ecotourism Australia is Australia’s peak body for eco and sustainable tourism providers and a membership organisation created by industry

Ecotourism Australia traditionally concentrated on businesses with a nature focus.

For example, a caravan park in a nature reserve or on a beach would be a prime candidate for its flagship certification, ECO Certified Tourism, which it has been offering for the last 25 years. One such ECO Certified business is caravan park Townsville Eco Resort (see our feature “Green Acres”).

In the city hotel space, Ecotourism Australia is a relative newcomer. In November 2022, it launched its GSTC-recognised Sustainable Tourism Certification for businesses operating in a nonnature-based setting. For example, hotels and

“The Sustainable Tourism Certification was a lightbulb moment for us,” says Elissa Keenan, CEO of Ecotourism Australia. “We’ve been doing what we’ve been doing for more than two decades, supporting all these wonderful nature-based operators.

“But we’ve also had people in non-nature-based settings knocking on our door asking, ‘Why don’t you do something for us?’ So, we created the Sustainable Tourism Certification. Having the standard recognised by the GSTC opens up the pathway for any operator, whether nature-based or not, who wants to start their sustainability journey with us.”

In a major endorsement of its new certification, Ecotourism Australia signed a partnership arrangement with Accor Pacific in March 2023 to be the preferred certifier for Accor properties across Australia and the Pacific.

“Accor has been very active in this space for a long time with their Planet 21 program,” says Keenan. “For them to say, we really value Ecotourism Australia’s program and want third-party verification to tell us we’re doing the right thing, as a certifying body, we couldn’t ask for more.”

Unique to Ecotourism Australia is its Green Travel Guide. The guide is an online resource that industry and travellers alike can use to know who is ecocertified.

“We’re interested in long-term commitment to sustainability. We want sustainability to be at the core of the businesses we work with, as part of their management plan, businesses that have the capacity to include sustainability as part of their day-to-day operations.”

ecotourism.org.au greenglobe.com

Think Lonely Planet but web based and purely for sustainability. Users can download an app that allows them to use the guide offline if they’re travelling in areas with no internet.

“The majority of travellers have been telling us they want to travel sustainably. But they’ve also been telling us they don’t know where to look for the right product,” says Keenan. “Our Green Travel Guide aims to plug that knowledge gap.”

Eco-certification: Made in Australia

Australia’s pioneering role in ecocertification globally isn’t well known — but ought to be.

Australia’s trailblazing role in sustainable and ecotourism certification is not particularly well known beyond the small group of certifiers and scientific researchers that make up its sustainable community.

In a masterstroke of forward thinking, the Australian Government established the Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre (STCRC) in 1997 to support the development of a dynamic, internationally competitive and sustainable Australian tourism industry. At the time, Australia’s tourism sector was worth around $50 billion, less than a third of its peak worth of $166 billion just prior to Covid. The STCRC brought together stakeholders from the Australian tourism industry and 16 Australian universities. Over time, it grew to be the largest tourism research organisation in the world and from it emerged one of the world’s first certification standards for sustainable tourism.

“Australia was undoubtedly one of the pioneers in sustainable tourism,” says Brad Cox. “The Netherlands was also fairly progressive. It was Australia and the Netherlands at the forefront.”

Cox was the STCRC’s General Manager of Communications. When the STCRC commercialised its standard, the Australian joined Green Globe in Los Angeles to take the standards to the United States. He has been Green Globe’s Director of Communications since 2008.

“At the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, the World Tourism and Travel Council (WTTC) pledged that the tourism industry would do something for the environment. They invented a basic checklist: turn off the taps, don’t leave ovens burning, switch off guestroom lights if there’s no guests. It was a good start but very basic. The world wasn’t focused on sustainability then, and it took years for that very basic plan to roll out.

“Around 2000, the WTTC came to the STCRC in Australia and said, ‘We’ve been running this checklist, but we need something more robust. The industry wants something bigger, more definable, something they can lock into their business plans.

“The STCRC at that time had a pretty big profile. All the government environment ministers around the world were talking about it. From that, Australia created the world’s first sustainability certification standard for travel and tourism.”

So, why isn’t Australia’s pioneering role in sustainable and ecotourism certification better known?

“We spend more time researching, testing and getting the business done than we do in promoting ourselves,” says Cox, who is now based on the Gold Coast as Director of Communications for Green Globe. “We’re more organic growth, a bit of luck, some government assistance and do our very best. We Australians have always been successful in hiding our light under a bushel, as they say.

“The world’s first eco-certification national standard created in Australia is effectively the standard that is now recognised by the GTSC,” says Elissa Keenan, CEO of Ecotourism Australia.

“That work 30 years ago was shared globally. People in this space are very willing to share and come together and collaborate and bring others along on the journey.

“When the United Nations World Tourism Organisation set up the GSTC they became the holder of the standard. In a lovely irony, the GSTC now recognises our [Australian] standards. That’s the work of those pioneers who were passionate about this space long before it was cool.”

“It’s a great story of Australian science and research kicking absolute goals, not only here in Australia but internationally,” says Andre Russ, EarthCheck’s Vice President Business Development & Sales.

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The Jolly Green Giant

Australian company EarthCheck took its certification to the world and is now a globally recognised brand for sustainable travel and tourism.

Words_John Miller

As far as eco-warriors go, Stewart Moore is a cheerful one. The CEO and founder of Brisbane-based EarthCheck prefers to agreeably encourage others to join him on the sustainability journey rather than alienate them by moralising on high.

“I sometimes don’t even lead with the word ‘sustainability’ because it tends to sideline the real discussion that’s needed,” says Moore. “However well-intentioned the science, businesses will naturally ask, ‘What is in it for me? What benefit will I get from this?’ That’s a reasonable question. And the answer is very simple: environmental best practice is good for business and good for the planet. For EarthCheck, it’s always been about getting the narrative right so that people and operators want to be part of that journey for the right reasons.’ Otherwise, it’s a long road.”

EarthCheck was established in 1987, long before ‘sustainability’ was a buzzword and five years before the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, the first global call to arms on the need to address sustainable development. Moore, a former regional and town planner, has since grown EarthCheck into one of the world’s leading scientific benchmarking certifications for sustainable travel and tourism. EarthCheck was the first Australian certification body to be recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), the international accreditation body for certification programs. It is also one of only a handful of companies in the world to be GSTC-accredited for destination certification.

“We’re a Brisbane-based company that grew up internationally,” says Moore.

Today, EarthCheck benchmarks and certifies over 1,500 organisations in more than 70 countries worldwide. At its South Brisbane headquarters, the company employs around 30 staff, mostly young scientists. EarthCheck delivers its certification programs in seven languages and has branch offices in its major markets, including China, Spain, Mexico, Italy and Canada.

Moore says the impetus to open overseas offices was EarthCheck’s commitment to walk its own talk by reducing its travel and servicing its markets with local people.

“Having our people in market gives us an opportunity to both understand the operational challenges that our clients face and reduce our carbon footprint,” he says. “We still do travel, of course, but we’re always mindful of offsetting it or having a way to minimise and reduce it.”

EarthCheck is now building a strong portfolio of clients in Australia but around 90 per cent of its clientele is outside the country. Its global

client base comprises an impressive list of individual hotels operating under marquee brands: Taj Palaces and Resorts, Belmond, One&Only, Capella, LVMH, Langham, Peninsula, Meliá, Kempinski, Banyan Tree, Marco Polo Hotels, Louis Roederer, The Ritz London and St Regis, to name a few.

While the company has built its client base on certifying accommodation businesses, it also certifies airports, transport systems, convention centres, precincts, cities and even entire countries.

Zurich, Glasgow and Gifu prefecture in Japan have all recently joined EarthCheck’s Leading Destinations of the World program.

EarthCheck also assesses and certifies major conferences and events, which may run for several days, by mapping their operational footprint and putting them on more sustainable path ahead of launch.

“We help the big guys such as casinos and the little guys such as farm stays,” says Moore. “Part of why we exist is to help make a difference. In Mexico, for instance, we work with a lot of small ecotourism operators and villages.

“One of our regions is a biosphere reserve which is helping small farmers with sustainable food production. Whether you’re big or small, the science is pretty consistent in terms of what actions are needed.”

EarthCheck’s suite of sciencebased certification programs is built on Agenda 21 principles, the sustainable development standard that emerged from the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, and are routinely refined and updated. Moore says the ideal place to begin the sustainability journey is when you are designing your business or home.

With that in mind, EarthCheck developed its award-winning Building Planning and Design Standard to help inject sustainability principles into building and construction projects early.

“A number of our corporate clients use EarthCheck as their design standard for their properties. It is true that the best operational performance is generally made possible by smart design and construction at the beginning of a project,” says Moore.

“It’s reverse engineering. Because we understand what good operational performance looks like we can help architects and builders to include these principles in each of the design and construction stages of a project. The design standard is really about having all consultants consistently working together. This means your architect, engineer and builder are working closely with your water, waste and energy consultants.”

EarthCheck’s motto, “Good for business. Good for the planet,” helps to bring both sides of the equation together.

“In terms of your operational overheads, implementing best practice sustainability principles will reduce your risks, deliver efficiency gains, reduce your footprint and save you money,” says Moore.

“It’s immediately going to provide a benefit to your bottom line. Sustainable buildings are smart, healthy and efficient buildings. It’s a no brainer.”

For those businesses who may be late to sustainable travel and tourism, Moore says it’s never too late to begin the journey.

“Just make a start,” he says. You don’t have to overcommit. Just start with small steps. It is true that you can’t manage what you don’t measure.

“If you don’t know your water, waste and energy footprint it will be difficult to manage it.

“Once you put a good measurement system in place you can start to measure and monitor your operational performance against your own business plan.

“Accommodation businesses don’t need to aim for certification if they’re not ready. EarthCheck can start by measuring and benchmarking your operational performance against your peers and then you can progress to formal recognition.

“The interesting thing about the sustainability space is how genuinely collaborative it is. All of our clients are happy to share information about their individual journeys even with their business competitors.

“It’s never a closed book. It doesn’t matter who they are, you always get operators saying, ‘This is what worked for us. It might work for you too.’”

EarthCheck has worked with some of its clients for over three decades, especially in markets that were early adopters of sustainable tourism such as Iceland, Mexico and the Caribbean.

“Scandinavian countries have been embracing sustainable development for over 50 years,” he says. “In those countries, sustainability is sewn into the fabric of everyday life. Here in Australia, it hasn’t been a major priority until recently.

“This has all changed in recent years with the onset of extreme weather events, Covid and ongoing concerns over environmental challenges which include how we manage the use of water and energy and the production of waste in all its forms.”

Moore says the last three years in particular have been a period of rapid acceleration of the acceptance

of sustainable and responsible travel and tourism as the norm.

“Occupational health and safety standards were once a nice to have in the 1970s. Now, no one questions them. It’s a given. Environmental management and sustainable tourism will become second nature and an accepted key value at home and at work in the same way,” he says.

“The desire for more sustainable travel and tourism has been with us for decades but has not been a priority. After Covid, there has been a major reset from a consumer perspective.

“We have seen the rise of the conscious traveller and a greater awareness and interest in wellbeing, health, hygiene, safety and a connection to local products, people and place. All of which relate

to sustainability. Covid has made us recognise we’re all connected on this planet.

“Tourism is a significant economic industry to many parts of regional Australia, but it has an environmental footprint that needs to be carefully managed.

“It’s important that all parts of the sector from transport through to accommodation and tour options are responsibly operated and provide a social and economic return to the communities that service it.

“Sustainable tourism can play a key part in helping to protect and restore our natural and social environment, and tourism can also play a role in giving back to the places that it visits. Sustainability is no longer about doing less harm, it’s about doing more good.” END

ResortBrokers honoured by ARAMA

Chairman Ian Crooks and Director Alex Cook recognised on the management rights industry’s night of nights

ResortBrokers’ Founder and Chairman

Ian Crooks was awarded ARAMA’s highest honour of Life Member at the 2023 ARAMA TOP Awards Presentation & Dinner, the management rights industry body’s annual awards ceremony, held on 25 July.

Since its incorporation in 1992, ARAMA has honoured 17 industry figures with Life Membership. Mr Crooks is now the 18th, with his induction taking place at the 2023 awards ceremony hosted at the Royal International Convention Centre in the Brisbane Showgrounds.

Prominent management rights lawyer and Director of law firm Small Myers Hughes, Col Myers, who was inducted as an ARAMA Life Member at last year’s ceremony, presented Mr Crooks with this year’s award.

“It is my great pleasure to induct Ian Crooks as the newest Life Member of ARAMA,” said Mr. Myers. “As you would be aware, Ian is the Founder and Chairman of ResortBrokers. From humble beginnings as a one-man band operating from a home office and driving about 2,000 km a week around Queensland and NSW, Ian has built a management rights and motel business which today operates in all states and territories in Australia.

“ResortBrokers now has a specialist team of over 30 accommodation property brokers and is widely regarded as an industry leader. To Ian’s great credit, ResortBrokers has evolved into a family business with a second generation — his children, Trudy, Carla and Tim, and son-in-law Alex — now driving the business’s growth as directors of the company which is nearing almost four successful decades of operation.

“In the management rights space, Ian has played a massive part in the ongoing success of the industry around Australia and thoroughly deserves this ARAMA life membership in recognition of the part he has played.”

In accepting this honour, Mr Crooks said, “The management rights sector supports businesses large and small and is one of the key pillars of our tourism industry. I admire what ARAMA has done to protect the industry and I’m delighted to have done my part and to have been inducted into this wonderful group as a Life Member.”

This year’s ARAMA ceremony held a double honour for ResortBrokers. Director Alex Cook, Ian’s son-in-law, won the ARAMA Sales Broker of the Year Award.

The award is another notable milestone in a highly successful 12-year career which has seen Alex become one of the most experienced and well-respected management rights brokers in the country.

This was Alex’s second win, having taken out the prize in 2019 when the ARAMA Broker of the Year award was inaugurated. Another ResortBrokers’ accolade came by way of Brisbane Broker Jeff Keast’s finalist placing for the Sales Broker of the Year Award for a second year in a row. END

Life Member

Ian Crooks

Sales Broker

Alex Cook

Faces of the Industry

Black Tie Service, Blue Jeans Attitude

Richard Crawford is Marriott’s dealmaker in Australasia. The seasoned hotelier talks about his stellar career, catching his second wind with Marriott and his plans to expand the hotel giant’s footprint in our region.

Words_John Miller

Global behemoth that it is, Marriott International organises itself by what it calls a “continent structure.”

In this part of the world, its point men are vice presidents Richard Crawford, who heads hotel development, and Sean Hunt who runs operations.

“Sean and I joke that I get the honeymoon while he gets the marriage,” says Crawford.

Crawford joined the world’s largest hotel chain in 2017 off the back of a high-flying 25-year career in the travel industry. This included almost four years heading the acquisitions team at Mantra Group immediately prior to joining Marriott, six years as board director of the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania, and five years, from 2004 to 2009, as owner of Hobart’s feted The Henry Jones Art Hotel. When he owned The Henry Jones, Crawford adopted a working mantra that epitomised his professional but laidback approach to running the hotel.

“I had no hotel experience, but I coined a phrase, ‘Black tie service with a blue jeans attitude,’” he says. “I wanted to keep it real.

“I wasn’t particularly interested in international hotel brands. If anything, I was probably anti-brand. We were an independent hotel and wanted to do it our way.

“It was the most exciting, exhilarating and rewarding four and a half years of my life. You don’t expect to fall in love with a business, but I did with The Henry Jones. I just fell in love with hotels. I found something I was good at.”

Not just good but exceptional. Crawford turned a rundown warehouse into Australia’s most celebrated hotel. During his ownership, the Hobart waterfront property earned a swag of prestigious architectural, design and magazine awards. The sandstone building housed a jam factory in the late 1800s, the enterprise of IXL pioneer and local son Henry Jones, who Crawford honoured in the hotel’s name.

Crawford reinvented the building as Australia’s first dedicated art hotel, a 56-room luxury offering that housed its guests in a

rotating gallery adorned with works from emerging Tasmania artists. Crawford reluctantly sold The Henry Jones in 2009 only because the buyer made him an offer too good to refuse.

“My heart said no, my head said yes,” says Crawford. “I should say my accountant said yes. I had separation anxiety from that business when I sold it.”

Now with Marriott, Crawford’s mission is to expand the company’s portfolio in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. When he joined the Marylandbased colossus in 2017 Marriott had just six hotels in the region. Today, it has 44 with 20 more to come. So far this year, Crawford has overseen the opening of two flagship Marriott hotels in the Victorian state capital: Le Méridien Melbourne in Bourke St, and The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne in Lonsdale St.

The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne was a milestone for Marriott, taking the chain to 1,000 hotels in the Asia-Pacific region. Adding to this perfect numerical symmetry, the hotel was the 111th RitzCarlton to open in the world.

Faces of the Industry

Crawford is mindful of Marriott’s impressively long pedigree and his relatively newfound place in it. He joined Marriott shortly after its ground-breaking 2016 acquisition of Starwood, a US$13 billion kingmaking deal that turned the threegeneration family business into the world’s largest hotel chain, eclipsing Hilton. Today, the multinational has over 8,500 hotels across 31 brands and 139 countries, operated by a workforce of 800,000 staff.

“Marriott’s trajectory has been a 96-year journey,” says Crawford. “There aren’t many companies, certainly in the hospitality industry, who’ve been around that long. It’s incredible to think we have over a million guests in our care every single night.”

Crawford got his own start in the travel industry working for the family business, started by his father, which operated a successful portfolio of travel agencies, a large hire car company, property interests and smash repair business in Tasmania.

“I often say, I never had a job until I turned 40 because I worked in the family business,” he says. “Everyone comes to hotel development roles for international companies from different pathways. Many come from the legal background. I came to it from a family business background. That’s why I get satisfaction out of working for a Wall Street company that’s still controlled by its founding family.”

By year’s end, Crawford will have checked off three more Marriott openings in Crawford’s territory. In Papua New Guinea, Marriott Executive Apartments will expand the group’s footprint to 140 countries when it opens in Port Moresby in November.

In August, Marriott’s first Moxy in Australia will open with the 301-room Moxy Sydney Airport. Sydney will also see Marriott’s most important launch in Australia to date with the long-anticipated opening of W Sydney in October. The 585-key Darling Harbour hotel has been five years in the making and will be Marriott’s biggest W in the world.

“It will be a monument, a flagship of fun and luxury,” says Crawford. “It’s really out of the box. People have been saying for a few years they don’t build big hotels like this anymore. Well, we’re just about to open one.”

Another area of development Crawford is excited about is branded residences. Though well-established overseas, Crawford says the idea is yet to catch on in Australia, but he is hopeful the stars will align shortly.

Marriott International is the world’s largest operator of branded residences, which have typically been the domain of its luxury brands such as Ritz-Carlton, St Regis, EDITION and W.

“Marriott has demonstrated in places like West Hollywood, Miami and New York that price premiums between 30 to 50 per cent can be gained by developers on an apartment that is branded,” Crawford says.

“We really want to do it in Australia and want to find the right partner to do it with.

“We won’t do it anywhere, with anyone, or with any brand. The important piece of the puzzle will be the developer acknowledging that their chosen brand from Marriott’s portfolio will deliver a price premium that justifies them paying a royalty.

“Every time we’ve talked about it for the past decade, the conversation has been a short one. But we think the time is approaching for developers who want to find a point of difference in selling their apartments ahead of their competitors.”

Crawford says Marriott is in no rush. For a company that has been in the hotel game for almost a century, Marriott takes the long view, he says.

“We take a 20-year outlook not a one-year outlook. The gestation period of hotels is not the measure of success for us. It’s the quality of the outcome. If a hotel developer is putting $100 million into a project, it’s not for us to rush them.

“It’s for us to work with them to make sure we get the right hotel at the right time.

“I learned a long time ago that in the hotel business the wrong thing to do is sit with a map in front of you, put flags on it and say, ‘This is where I want to be.’

“As a management company and as a franchisor we need the hotel investment community to tell us where they’re prepared to plant their money. We follow the capital.”

At 50 years old, Crawford is far from eyeing off retirement, but he acknowledges that Marriott will probably be the last corporate job he’ll ever have.

“As it turns out, my time with Marriott has been even more rewarding than the first 40 years of my entire life,” he says.

“I’ve had a second career I never imagined possible. I’ve learned so much and had a really joyful experience I could never have anticipated, which says more about Marriott than it says about me.

“I was in Bangkok recently at a gathering of some senior Marriott executives.

“Mr Marriott Senior had just passed over the chairmanship of the company to his son, David Marriott. I hadn’t met David.

“I saw him in the hotel foyer and introduced myself. I said, ‘Mr Marriott, I’m Richard Crawford, I look after Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. I’m only one percent …’

“He said, ‘Richard, stop. You need no introduction.’ This is the chairman of a company with more than 800,000 people in it.

“For him to recognise me says a lot about him as a person, and that he’s a product of his father and grandfather. That’s the only recognition I need. That’ll keep me going for the next five years, I reckon.”

Acres Green

Townsville Eco Resort’s evolution towards sustainability best practice is a template for how caravan parks can help aboth the environment and their business.

Words_John Miller

Fiona and Martin Lidgett’s journey towards sustainable tourism did not start with high ideals to save the planet from impending environmental doom but with a necessity to solve a practical problem: how to purify their caravan park’s harsh bore water so that it wouldn’t block up its toilets.

When the Lidgetts bought Townsville Eco Resort in 2014 the park was not connected to reticulated town water being located some 20 minutes’ drive southeast of central Townsville off the Bruce Highway. Eager to solve their water issue, the Lidgetts implemented a dual operating system for water accompanied by reverse osmosis that enabled clean water to the park’s facilities and direct bore to its gardens. Their water solution was so creative they won the Caravan Parks Association of Queensland’s Ray Fitton Award for innovation in 2016.

The Lidgetts then became involved with ecoBiz, a free program funded by the

Queensland Government and run by the Chamber of Commerce & Industry Queensland, that provides a consultancy service to help minimise energy, waste and water. EcoBiz’s consultant visited the park for a free assessment and formulated a plan for the Lidgetts to implement, which set them on a course towards sustainability best practice that continues to this day.

Since 2018, the park has been an ecoBiz 3-star partner, the program’s highest star rating. In 2021, the park achieved its highest level of certification to date when it was awarded Advanced Ecotourism status by Ecotourism Australia.

The Lidgetts are among a small but growing number of park operators across Australia who see the dual benefits of eco-certification for both the environment and their business.

In the Townsville region, the resort remains the only holiday park to be accredited by Ecotourism Australia.

“For the nine years we’ve owned the park, I could see people’s attitudes changing towards wanting to travel more sustainably,” says Fiona Lidgett. “They are more conscious of the environment.

“The 2019 Townsville floods were disastrous for us and the city, but one benefit is that travellers are more conscious of their environmental footprint, and so are we as a business.

Our certifications definitely help our business because they show our guests that we follow best sustainability practice in running it.

“It was also a natural progression for us from our Caravan Industry Association of Australia accreditation.

“It just made sense to continue that standard. We were already accredited with our own industry, so it made perfect sense for us as a business to continue with accreditation in the environmental space given we were already on that path.”

The 2019 floods forced the Lidgetts to close the park for several months, which they took as an opportunity to further improve their environmental efficiencies, particularly around solar and battery backup. They also had four spare acres out the back of the park which they wanted to turn into something that was low impact in line with their Advanced Ecotourism accreditation.

The result is the park’s two latest initiatives: 10 high-end glamping tents, as well as Black Barra Bar & Cafe, a 100-seat restaurant that juts out over constructed wetland. The glamping tents sleep two to four guests, are airconditioned and include their own bathrooms and kitchenettes.

The glamping accommodation and restaurant adds to the 18-acre park’s current offering of 134 powered caravan sites, which includes 30 residential land lease tenancies.

The Lidgetts say independent environmental accreditation is the only way to ensure park operators are implementing sustainability best practice.

“There’s a lot of greenwashing out there at the moment,” says Fiona.

“People will say, ‘We’re doing this, we’re doing that,’ when they’re either not doing it or it’s really nothing much at all. It might be just recycling paper.

“We went with Ecotourism Australia because they’re very well known in the caravan park industry and were very supportive of our sustainability efforts.”

The Lidgett’s sustainability efforts show that best practice is good for the environment as well as a business’s balance sheet. By adding solar panels in 2019, the Lidgetts reduced their park’s energy usage by 57 per cent in two months and have slashed their monthly power bill from $12,000 to $8,000.

Fiona says the set-up costs for solar are minimal thanks to the generous government grant scheme which encourages caravan parks to install solar.

Fiona says the other main benefit they’ve reaped is that ecotourism accreditation links their park with destination programming.

“Local councils who have become eco-tourism destinations themselves will promote you front and centre as part of their destination programming,” says Fiona.

“Same with Google. If you have eco-accreditation, you’ll get a higher ranking. That’s just one of the ways Google is supporting a more sustainable environment by promoting those of us with the proper credentials.” END

www.townsvilleecoresort.com.au

In August this year, the Caravan Industry Association of Australia partnered with Ecotourism Australia to facilitate access to their experts in sustainable and environmental assessment. The partnership has been developed to ensure the caravan park industry meets the needs of the growing customer expectation regarding environmental and sustainable measures within the park sector.

The partnership is designed to work in with the association’s current accreditation and operational practices as well as continuing its goals towards Thrive 2030, Australia’s national strategy for the long-term sustainable growth of the visitor economy.

The importance of environmental and sustainable measures within the park sector was recognised at the association’s annual conference held on the Gold Coast in May. “For us, it is well and truly top of mind,” says Luke Chippindale, the association’s communications spokesperson. “We want to ensure that whatever happens is industry best practice and doesn’t impose massive challenges to parks when they are both skill and time poor.

“While a number of park operators presently conduct their own independent eco-certification, our partnership with Ecotourism Australia will enable us to include sustainability as part of our overall accreditation process.”

What the industry is doing

Benchmarking an Industry

Resly and Caatz launch their inaugural Benchmark report for the management rights industry.

Resly and Caatz Management Rights Accountants recently released their ground-breaking Benchmark report, a joint initiative aimed at revolutionising the short-term holiday letting industry.

The pioneering report, developed through extensive collaboration and leveraging technology, provides timely insights into holiday letting fees, commission rates and cleaning fees, forward and historical occupancy, and average room rates tailored specifically to the industry. Traditionally, the holiday-letting sector has faced challenges obtaining accurate and reliable data for benchmarking purposes. Many existing solutions rely heavily on data from large hotels, which often fail to capture the industry’s nuances. The partnership between Resly and Caatz seeks to address this gap by introducing a comprehensive benchmarking tool that exclusively caters to both the management rights and short-term holiday letting industries.

The new Benchmark report automates data collection, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information for property managers. By gathering data directly from participating properties, this solution eliminates biases and offers unparalleled accuracy and relevance. Property managers can confidently rely on the report to make informed decisions regarding their fees and charges, occupancy and room rates. One of the key advantages of the Benchmark report is its ability to grow and adapt as more properties opt into the system. As the number of participating properties increases, the report will become an invaluable resource for property managers and industry professionals. The data collected from various properties will paint a comprehensive picture of the market trends and dynamics, facilitating better decision-making and promoting healthy competition within the industry.

“We are thrilled to partner with Caatz to launch this game-changing Benchmark report,” says Sam Steel, co-founder of Resly.

“Our shared vision is to empower property managers with accurate, industry-specific data that will drive success and growth. This collaborative effort represents a significant step forward for management rights, and we are excited to see the positive impact it will have on managers and the industry as a whole.”

“Our initial dataset has already identified new trends. For example, we are seeing property managers charge a direct booking fee in addition to their commission,” says Robert Cuda, co-founder of Caatz.

“We aim for Benchmark to develop into an industrywide tool that can benefit all holiday-letting businesses.”

Currently under development is a feature that will see Resly users that contribute their data to the Benchmark community have access to the report directly through their Resly account. This will allow the information to be efficiently distributed and for managers to see real-time industry results.

Resly and Caatz invite property managers to join this initiative. By participating in the benchmarking program, property managers will gain access to valuable insights, contributing to the collective growth and success of the industry.

To learn more about the benchmark report and how to participate, please visit www.caatz.com.au/benchmark END

Resly is a leading technology provider specialising in innovative solutions for the hospitality industry. Its comprehensive platform offers property management, channel management, and business intelligence tools to streamline operations and drive profitability. Resly is dedicated to empowering property managers with the right tools and insights to succeed in a rapidly evolving industry. www.resly.com.au

Caatz is an accounting firm specialising in the management rights and short-term holiday letting industry. Investing in technology and automation, Caatz has developed innovative software that makes accounting and compliance for clients much more efficient and insightful.

www.caatz.com.au

Riding the wave

Since joining ResortBrokers at the end of last year, our Gold Coast and Northern Rivers NSW broker Miguel Bozina has been on a winning streak. We let him catch his breath for this interview.

How long did it take you to get your buyer network going?

Not long, but I feel that’s less to do with me and more to do with two key factors: the region I serve, and ResortBrokers’ stellar reputation. The 200 km stretch from the Gold Coast down to Yamba is where everyone wants to be. I have no shortage of buyers. They’re ringing me every day asking, ‘What have you got?’ ‘What’s coming up?’ Outside of Melbourne and Sydney, some of the biggest capital gains in the country have been in this area over the last five years. Combine that with the relaxed beach lifestyle and you’ve got a winning combination.

The second factor is ResortBrokers’ reputation. It’s not just that we’ve been here the longest and that we’re the biggest and best in our field. It’s more about that we’re trusted. It is made clear to us by the directors from day one, that there’s only one way to do business if you want to be successful at it for as long as ResortBrokers has been, and that’s being honest and transparent with your clients, both vendors and buyers. We’re very proud of the reputation we have in the market for that.

I suppose a third thing could be that I really enjoy doing this. I’m well past the honeymoon now and I really enjoy getting up every day doing what I’m doing.

Before ResortBrokers you worked in sales and finance for almost 30 years. What’s the main difference between accommodation property sales and other sales?

With most other sales, you might just wait for buyers to come through the door. The accommodation property business is far more active. It’s about getting out there, meeting real people, hearing their stories and building genuine relationships.

It doesn’t matter what product you’re selling, it’s always about the relationships you build. I’ve always tried to apply the age-old wisdom of having “two ears and one mouth”. Listen, really listen, to what your clients are trying to achieve and where they want to be. Then support and guide them to get somewhere that they may not know how to get to themselves.

What sales are you most pleased with so far?

All of them to be honest because I love when I can make things happen for vendors and buyers. But two stand out. The first was Murwillumbah Motor Inn. I had more enquiries with that listing than any other I’ve had, and I am still getting them. It wasn’t necessarily because the location was Murwillumbah. It was because it was a wellpriced leasehold near the beaches of the Northern Rivers and had a lot of new infrastructure happening in the area. The other was Ballina Colonial Motel. We ran a great campaign, and it was like a feeding frenzy as soon as the property hit the market. I was having to manage a tight schedule with inspections that prospective buyers wanted to do at the last minute. I was needing to schedule people around inspections that were already booked, which wasn’t a simple task with some buyers needing to secure flights and accommodation.

We received so much serious interest on that listing, resulting in $250,000 above what we originally listed the property for, which was well above the vendor’s expectations, but the buyers were quite astute and realised the opportunity this property offered them and their business and were not going to miss it. The property had been on market for only three days before we got it under offer. Like Murwillumbah, I still have several investors that missed that property calling me.

Miguel Bozina, Broker

Are buyers more interested in Queensland or NSW?

There’s strong interest in Queensland, no question. But the Northern Rivers is what most buyers ask me about. People from Sydney, Melbourne and even overseas often say they want to be at the top end of NSW mainly for the lifestyle and beaches. I ask them if they’d consider the Gold Coast. Most will, but some people just want to be in the Northern Rivers and near Byron Bay.

The Northern Rivers is where they really want to be. That said, of all my sold, settled and agreed listings in both regions not one has lasted more than four days on the market before going under offer. Some don’t even get to market because I already have a list of qualified buyers lined up. That’s just how popular this region is.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about the accommodation property market?

It was a steep learning curve learning about yields. Yields are a great guide, and vital in conversations with vendors and buyers. But they do vary region to region. The more desirable an area is, the tighter the yield and higher the price you can expect.

One thing I did find transferrable from my previous industry was financial statements. Talking every day with business directors and accountants, I quickly learned how to navigate a P&L and know what makes a business tick. That side of things is very transferrable. I’m more than comfortable sitting down with vendors, having them pull out their financial statements and getting straight into the nuts and bolts of their business.

How important is it to be a local when serving your clients?

Well, while was born up the road in Brisbane, I moved as a child from Darwin to Adelaide and even to California. But I’m a local at heart. For many years I had a home in a little beach place called New Brighton, near Brunswick Heads in the Northern Rivers and loved living there. I’ve lived and worked in this area for over 25 years now and my kids were born here on the coast, where we live now. I know having that intimate knowledge of the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers is extremely valuable.

Plus, I genuinely believe it’s the best place to live in Australia, so it’s easy to communicate that to a buyer that may be from somewhere else.

Do NSW buyers ever give you stick about being a

Queenslander?

[Laughs] Only for those important few weeks in the middle of the year when State of Origin is on! At that time of year for transparency, I do advise my clients, ‘I have to tell you I’m a proud Maroon!’ But I don’t think it’s lost me any sales. END

Ocean Shores Motel Ocean Shores

Ballina Colonial Motel Ballina

Nightcap Ridge Byron Bay Hinterland

Ballina Homestead Motel Ballina

Murwillumbah Motor Inn Murwillumbah

A BIAS FOR BEDS

Hotel TOTTO in Wollongong announces the bold debut of Pi Capital Partners in the hotel space. Principals Nick Potter and Jack Shaw share their vision for the hotel, the TOTTO brand and Pi Capital.

Words_John Miller

Pi Capital is a relative newcomer in the hotel industry, having only started in earnest in 2020. In quick time, the Sydneybased private equity real estate group has radically transformed the dour former University of Wollongong-owned accommodation into the stylishly modern 150-key Hotel TOTTO.

The renovation was as extensive as it was expeditious. Pi only commenced refurbishment of the premises in June last year.

By January, Hotel TOTTO had flung open its funky new doors with a soft opening and become an instant hit, reaching its capacity most weekends.

The hotel marks Pi’s first foray into the hotel space, which begs the questions, Why Wollongong? And why this asset?

“The short answer is we saw value,” explains Nick Potter, who heads up Pi with business partner Jack Shaw.

“It’s how we look at opportunities. “We look at real estate with no rules, except we have a bias for beds.

“That means we’ll look at anything we can put accommodation into and then decide on a risk-reward basis what the best use of the real estate will be. Is it a hotel? Is it build-to-rent? Is it co-living? Is it serviced apartments? Or do we blend some of those uses together?”

With Hotel TOTTO, Potter says Pi went through an extensive process of assessing its options. One possibility was repositioning the asset as revitalised student accommodation.

Another was converting the site to medical use. In the end, and with support from the local Wollongong community, Pi decided the property’s optimal use would be a hotel.

“For us, it’s whatever the best use for the property is,” says Potter. “By the time we went through the supply-and-demand dynamics of the Wollongong market, we decided the best use would be as a hotel. We’re agnostic within the bed sector, it’s just about what works best.”

Hotel TOTTO returns the site to its original use. The building was originally conceived as a purpose-built Ibis hotel, which opened in 2006.

The University of Wollongong purchased the site from owners Accor in 2011 and repurposed it as student accommodation, naming it Marketview in keeping with its Market St location in central Wollongong.

Now, as Hotel TOTTO, the property joins tourism and leisure conglomerate EVT as part of the Independent Collection by EVT, becoming the 14th hotel to do so.

“We had two major work streams going on,” says Potter. “One was the aesthetic refurb of building. The other was bringing the building back up to code.

“For the refurb, we reclad the exterior and gutted the rooms. We basically rebuilt it so that it looks and feels like a brand-new hotel.

“So, new rooms, new bathrooms, new air conditioners, new IT and a beautiful new lobby we’re really proud of.”

Since opening, Hotel TOTTO has earned solid ratings on travel guidance platforms and OTAs. The hotel enjoys a 3.5 rating on TripAdvisor and a 7.9 rating on Booking. com, which climbs to 9.1 when rated by couples.

“Ultimately, we target all segments,” explains Jack Shaw, Potter’s co-principal at Pi. “We’re trying to appeal to a wide cohort, be it leisure or business travel. We get a lot of sporting and entertainment travellers coming down from Sydney and staying with us as well. So, it’s a very diverse crowd. The only limit is the physical size of the rooms, but we think our architects, Place Studios, have done an amazing job of maximising the space.”

Part of TOTTO’s success is the hotel’s signature restaurant, Basta Trattoria, a smart-casual 135-seat Mediterraneaninspired restaurant. Shaw says once it was decided the premises would be a hotel, the restaurant became an integral part of the equation, both in terms of the services offered and the aesthetic.

“We’re really pairing a lifestyle select-service hotel with a quality F&B offering in its own right,” says Shaw. “In terms of how we designed the lobby, we didn’t want it to feel like you were pulling up and checking into a hotel,” adds Potter. “We wanted it to feel like you were turning up to a bar and have people saying, ‘Wow, what’s all this exciting activity happening here?’ Part of the reason we have a coffee machine right at the front is we’ve tried to shape the look and feel of it as a continuation of the bar into the reception desk.”

Shaw says the streamlined integration flows through to how the hotel is managed by staff on a day-to-day basis.

“In terms of the way we designed the building it was really about trying to minimise the amount of labour as well,” he says. “Our staff float between helping with the F&B and check-in at reception. We have self-check-in desks, so while someone is checking in via the kiosks, they can be getting made a coffee or having a beer pulled depending on what time of the day it is. We have some real efficiencies around that, while also creating a point of difference with the sense of arrival.”

Pi’s bias for beds stems from both principal’s backgrounds. Potter is a 20year real estate industry veteran with multi-disciplinary experience in asset management, property valuation and property development.

This includes almost four years in London working as chief investment officer of FCAregulated investment manager MSS Real Estate, and eight years at Cushman & Wakefield in Sydney where two of his areas of focus were student accommodation and co-living.

Potter started Pi Capital in 2010 as a side hustle while at Cushman & Wakefield before formally hooking up with Shaw in 2020. Shaw brings over ten years of hotel experience to Pi having worked for 2T Tourism Asset Services, Mantra Group and Pro-invest Group where he spearheaded the Holiday Inn Express platform immediately prior to joining Pi.

“We’ve spent a lot of time in student accommodation and coliving, and I guess we wanted to bring a little bit of those elements to Hotel TOTTO as well,” says Potter. “The word ‘totto’ comes from our time in co-living. It’s a derivative of the Latin phrase ‘in toto’ which means ‘altogether’.

“We look at the asset holistically, not just as a place to stay, but as somewhere to relax, somewhere to have a good time, somewhere to have a meal, somewhere to have a drink. As we further develop the asset, we’ll look to lean into those elements more. We’re looking to bring an element

of co-working to it as well, some boardrooms, some kitchenettes and the like to appeal to some longer-stay guests. We’ve also got plans to potentially put a cinema out back. So, we’re really looking at this as a living, breathing asset rather than just a hotel.”

Also included in the hotel’s branding, albeit subtly, is the pi symbol, π, which is carried into the double t in TOTTO.

“It’s a nice touch and our little overlay onto the brand,” says Potter. “It reflects how Pi Capital puts deals together, which is to find the right people, the right property and then work towards profit. Pi in microeconomics is shorthand for ‘profit’. That’s ultimately what we’re all about.”

As for the future, Potter and Shaw aim to turn Pi Capital into a market-leading asset manager of real estate. They say they have been buoyed by the success of Hotel TOTTO and potentially want to develop the brand in other key Australian cities.

“When we partnered with EVT, they loved the brand and thought we could do something special with it,” says Potter. “We’ve been pretty delighted with the outcome to be honest.

“So far, it’s been really well received and we’re looking to do a grand opening soon,” adds Shaw.

“The restaurant’s reception from the local community in particular has been really positive.

“It has seen really good local capture, we’re doing a lot of activation on Friday and Saturday nights to bring in local clientele.

“We’ve just been named as one of the top restaurants in Wollongong in pretty short order.”

Pi will continue to explore other real estate opportunities, including co-living and build-torent, with the group’s customary bias for beds.

“There’s a number of opportunities we’re looking at now where it would be great to put a couple of those uses together,” says Potter. “Part of the reason Jack and I got together is that I saw co-living and buildto-rent as the hotelification of residential in terms of overlaying that service level to it. I wanted to get a smart operator in the hotel space and found it in Jack.

“We both live and breathe this stuff. When you immerse yourself in something, and enjoy it like we do, it makes things a lot easier. We’re just loving what we’re doing day-to-day at the minute. It’s highly scalable what we’re doing and the sky’s the limit.” END

ResortBrokers’ Mid-Year Conference

On 27 July, ResortBrokers said goodbye to FY23 and hello to FY24 with our traditional mid-year conference.

Our day got off to a cracking start with a year-in-review presentation by Managing Director Trudy Crooks, followed by an awards presentation for FY23’s top brokers handed out by Chairman Ian Crooks. In the afternoon, we broke into teams for a madcap threehour escapade across Brisbane that saw human pyramids

Out with the old, in with the new ResortBrokers congratulates its FY23 award winners & thanks all its brokers and staff for another great year.

which breached WHS, innocent bystanders accosted to join conga lines, consensual kisses from perfect strangers, and some unsuspecting dogs. All in pursuit of “team building.”

Our night finished at Felons Brewing, Howard Smith Wharves, which, despite a raging river of amber, was tame by comparison.

Good people of Brisbane, we thank you for your forbearance, humbly seek your forgiveness and promise never to do it again … until next year.

Broker of the Year

/ Top Volume Broker

Kelli Crouch, South Australia & Northern Territory

Top Volume Calls

Top Management Rights Broker

Glenn Millar, Sunshine Coast

Rookie of the Year

David Faiers

Sunshine Coast & Fraser Coast

Rising Star

Jeff Keast, Brisbane

Highest Market Share Award

Jessie Shi, Brisbane

Best New Initiative

Nathan Benjamin, Central QLD

Administration Excellence

Frank Matus, Brisbane

Jacqueline Featherby, Central Coast NSW, Hunter & Blue Mountains

Nightcap Ridge Byron Bay Hinterland, NSW

Rare freehold Byron hinterland eco-luxe estate and destination wedding venue

Nightcap Ridge, in the Byron Bay Hinterland, offers a stunning 67-acre private estate. Nestled within the Nightcap National Park, it showcases lush rainforests and awe-inspiring landscapes. With RU1 zoning and approved development plans to expand, it’s an unparalleled investment opportunity.

The property features three eco-cottages, a three-bedroom residence, and “The Argory,” and is perfect for short-term stays, events, and especially weddings, with liquor and F&B licenses.

There is a DA approval already in place for an additional 12 cottages, expanding guest capacity by 35. Surrounded by a World Heritage-Listed National Park, it offers a unique experience. Proximity to Byron Bay beaches, Minyon Falls and hinterland villages attracts high-end travellers.

Nightcap Ridge harmoniously combines luxury comfort and rustic elegance. Its eco-luxe cottages create an ideal setting for weddings and events. Rising demand for Byron Bay accommodations, driven by domestic and drive tourism, increases the region’s popularity. The property enjoys strong reviews and repeat visits.

With breathtaking landscapes and eco-luxe accommodations, it’s an exceptional investment. Tap into Australia’s thriving tourism / destination wedding market in the Byron Bay Hinterland.

• Rare wedding venue & eco-luxe accommodation in Byron Hinterland

• DA approval for an additional 12 cottages, sleeping a further 35 guests

• Huge upside and returns after construction

• Surrounded by World Heritage National Park and trails

• Close to Gold Coast Airport, Ballina Byron Gateway Airport and M1

• High end finishes already in place

Miguel Bozina Broker, Gold Coast & Northern NSW miguel@resortbrokers.com.au

Devils Marbles Hotel

Davenport, NT

Looking for a desert change? This well presented outback hotel awaits.

In a prime position adjacent to the famous Karlu Karlu or Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve on the Stuart Highway, 392km north of Alice Springs and 95km south of Tennant Creek, this beautifully presented property is often described as an “oasis in the desert.”

Multiple and diverse income streams include the licensed bar and restaurant, take away liquor, fuel service, motel, caravan and camping park, merchandise and souvenirs.

There is a range of accommodation options that meets the needs of all travellers with 5 camping sites, 9 powered caravan sites, 5 unpowered caravan sites and 18 cabins/ bunkhouse rooms. Other facilities include an inground swimming pool, well presented beer garden, guest laundry and two amenities blocks.

The Devils Marbles Hotel property and business is offered as a freehold going concern, complete with an extensive inventory of furniture, fittings, plant and equipment.

Burgeoning regional tourism and the colossal expansion of the caravan and camping market mean, for Devils Marbles Hotel, the stage is set for ongoing business growth

• Multiple income streams food and beverage, accommodation, fuel and souvenirs

• High netting

• Consistent re-investment in the property

• Ample onsite staff accommodation

• Range of accommodation options caravan sites, camping, deluxe family cabins, budget cabins

• Experienced and capable staff to assist with transition

Cargal Apartments Collinsville, QLD

This freehold has it all - strong occupancy, solid tariffs and systems in place.

Cargal Apartments is located in the township of Collinsville, which is approximately 72 km west off the coast from Bowen. Here is a great ‘freehold’ opportunity for those looking to secure a consistent high net profit in a vibrant country town.

With 9 apartments consisting of 5 x 1 bedroom apartments and 4 x 2 bedroom apartments fully furnished with all the modern conveniences, maintain a strong occupancy. They are conveniently located opposite the post office, one block from shops, supermarket and the hotel. A BBQ facility is offered for all the apartments for an option to cook on site.

The property offers undercover parking for each apartment. The apartments have been built to strata title with the possibility to individually sell these apartments with development approval.

This accommodation is rented on a nightly, weekly or longer term if required. The business is operated remotely and currently overseen with the cleaning and maintenance by an associate that resides near the property and will carry on this service with new owners. This business needs a strong owner-operator to drive the numbers and reap the benefits of this great opportunity.

• Built to strata title

• Located conveniently to facilities

• No need to live on site

• Operations is all in place with staff for cleaning and maintenance

• Consistent trader

• Fully furnished to continue trading no downtime

Net Profit FY21/22

$119,128

$ $158,316 Turnover FY21/22

$ $1,495,000 Total Price $172,734

Projected Net Profit FY22/23

Des Fagg

High net investment opportunity in superb Southport location

Highly profitable management rights in superb southport location

ResortBrokers is excited to exclusively present an exceptional management rights opportunity of considerable scale in Southport, close to the entertainment, education and health precincts in the bustling commercial heart of the Gold Coast.

On offer is the management and letting rights to Sphere Southport Living, which returned an annual net profit of $1,050,000 for FY23 backed by a body corporate salary of $945,763. There is also considerable upside for the incoming operator to generate high sales commissions.

Comprising 438 apartments, this permanent letting complex offers modern, residential community living. Strong occupancy is supported by the complex’s exceptional facilities and superb location.

Opportunities of this quality and size do not come along often, astute investors should therefore be quick to consider this large-scale, exceptional offering.

• Huge unit sales commission potential

• Secure, long-term agreements 20+ years remaining

• Extensive portfolio with 175 permanent lets in the letting pool

• Lifestyle flexibility with no set office hours and no requirement to own a unit

• All core staff will be retained in the business

• Further upside via converting 20 outside agents

• Exceptional resort style facilities

• Manager’s Lot valued at $1.3M - 3 bed, 2 bath unit, large office, reception, gym area

Dolphins of Mollymook Mollymook, NSW

A multifaceted investment opportunity in Mollymook’s Golden Triangle precinct

Proudly sitting within Mollymook’s Golden Triangle precinct, this property with diverse potential is a rare market offering. Only 200m from the world-class Mollymook Golf Club and crystalclear waters of Mollymook Beach, the motel offers consistent occupancy rates with scope for tariff increases.

Dolphins of Mollymook currently serves as a profitable investment opportunity. As the closest block to the golf club with R3 zoning, this property offers residential development opportunities (STCA) while providing a secure holding income. Alternatively, there is potential for a secondfloor expansion of motel rooms (STCA).

The installation of 15.5KW solar panels and heat pump hot water system has halved energy costs. To maximise returns, the motel is managed off-site. The well-established remote operating systems and casual cleaning staff offer new owners secure financial returns without the usual ties of motelier life.

Mollymook is one of NSW South Coast’s most desirable holiday destinations, with demand for residential and short stay accommodation continuing to grow. This uniquely zoned property is a multifaceted investment opportunity within a postcard-worthy tourist haven.

• Large 2,029sqm block with highly desirable R3 zoning

• Consistent net profit with upside potential

• Premium location within Mollymook’s Golden Triangle precinct

• Recent energy efficient upgrades

• Well-established off-site operating systems

$361,524 Net Profit

Seclude Rainforest Retreat

Popular Whitsunday rainforest eco-luxe resort with high occupancy and huge upside

Lying in a peaceful valley in the Whitsunday rainforest, 30 minutes drive south of Airlie Beach, Seclude Rainforest Retreat is a premium getaway that enjoys high occupancy with room to grow.

Seclude features three privately positioned villas, each with unique attributes. Acacia Lodge boasts expansive patio doors leading to a well-furnished wrap-around deck overlooking the mountains. Bamboo Retreat situates its spa amid a bamboo landscape, while Hillside Haven offers a breathtaking 180-degree view from its deck overlooking the national park.

The property also boasts a sparkling in-ground swimming pool and BBQ area nestled within tropical gardens, providing easy access for villa guests.

Seclude has consistently achieved above-average occupancy rates, with strong repeat client business. There is, however, considerable scope to significantly grow the business, given the property’s expansive 165 acres of land that provides ample space for the addition of more villas, as well as the exploration of comprehensive wedding packages.

• Luxury hideaway like no other in the Whitsunday rainforest

• All villas are stand-alone with spas and high quality furnishings

• High occupancy with advance bookings

• Future planning with further DA approval

• Proven demand and success for short-term accommodation

• Lifestyle business easily operated by couple

Exceptional leasehold of a luxury Melbourne 4.5-star boutique hotel

ResortBrokers is excited to present an exceptional opportunity to secure the leasehold business of a magnificent 4.5-star Boutique Hotel, only 20 minutes east of Melbourne’s CBD.

Beau Monde International, an elegant, sophisticated boutique hotel and function venue, finished with crystal chandeliers, French windows and majestic gardens is located in the heart of Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, Doncaster.

Since opening in 1989, Beau Monde International, has built a strong and loyal client base. The business has an enviable trading record as a luxurious accommodation hotel offering outstanding facilities for corporate guests, weddings and all other manner of functions.

Beau Monde International should interest an operator experienced in delivering high quality accommodation, food and beverage, conference and function services.

Rarely do we see leasehold opportunities of this calibre, only 20 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD come to market, so get in quick to secure this incredible opportunity.

• Enviable location only 20 minutes from Melbourne CBD

• Magnificent 4.5 star AAA-rated all suite boutique hotel

• Four function rooms catering for corporate, weddings, functions and high teas

• Long 20-year tenure with 17 years remaining

• Key staff happy to remain for smooth transition

• Excellent mix of accommodation, conferencing, functions and F&B income

• No increase to rent negotiated since 2019

• Strong and loyal client base with repeat business

• Fully licensed bar/cafe/restaurant

Contact Agent

Net Profit $ $831,280 Turnover $ $999,000 Price

Beau Monde International Doncaster, VIC

Jacqueline Featherby Broker, Central Coast NSW, Hunter & Blue Mountains jacqueline@resortbrokers.com.au

Twee Nguyen Broker, South West Victoria twee@resortbrokers.com.au

Seascape Property Portfolio

West End & Kangaroo Point, QLD

Brilliant inner-Brisbane business-only management rights portfolio!

Situated in the highly desirable inner city areas of West End and Kangaroo Point, this portfolio of three low-maintenance business-only management rights businesses offers stability via a solid body corporate salary as well as upside in the letting component of the business given these suburbs’ high rental demand.

With no requirement to live on-site, no set office hours and no real estate to purchase, the portfolio offers a robust ROI of more than 17% backed by a body corporate salary offering a yearly increase of 3% or CPI, whichever is greater.

These well-maintained, modern apartment complexes have a great set-up. With no set office hours, the incoming operator can enjoy the freedom and flexibility supported by the agreement to suit their circumstances in how they operate this business over time.

With a strong and consistent letting pool and P&L prepared by an experienced industry accountant it presents as a solid business suitable for an experienced operator who wants to expand their portfolio or a first-time buyer looking to secure a stable low-maintenance business.

• No set office hours

• No real estate to purchase and no requirement to reside on-site

• Long agreement terms

• P&L prepared by experienced industry accountant

• Strong body corporate salary that increases by 3% or CPI, whichever is greater

• Minimal facilities and very manageable caretaking duties

• Located in highly sought-after inner city area with high rental demand

• Suitable for either first time buyer or experienced operator as add-on to existing portfolio

• Property inspections are by appointment only

Newstead premium management rightsC. $850k net - an unmissable opportunity

ResortBrokers exclusively presents the management rights to a prestige building in Brisbane’s highly popular inner-city neighbourhood of Newstead. On the market for the first time as an established business, this permanent residential complex is a truly impressive offering. Comprising 220 apartments and rooftop amenity with panoramic views.

Haven delivers a strong net profit circa. $850,000 which is backed by a Body Corporate salary over $300,000 and recently topped up Caretaking and Letting Agreements.

• Elegant high-rise with 25 levels and 220 apartments

• 69 x one bedroom units; 133 x two bedrooms + levels 21-24 have 3, 4 and 5 bedroom penthouses

• 149 units in letting pool with strong weekly rental averages

• Rooftop pool, outdoor kitchen, cocktail terrace, firepit and pavilion

• Stylish lobby, reception, office and storage under Occupational Authority

• Body Corporate Salary of $308,553 per annum excluding GST

• Annual renewal of salary due in November 2023

• Verified net profit of $812,495 p.a. excluding GST

• Additional $37K income for 20x external lots managed by vendor

• Business-only with option to purchase two bedroom unit for $980K - Unit 2206

• 24.3 years remaining on Caretaking and Letting Agreements

• Currently run by 2 person team, with cleaning and gardening contracted

$ $308,553

$ $5,836,329

Business Price $849,711 Net Profit

Frank Matus Broker, Brisbane frank@resortbrokers.com.au

Tim Crooks Director of New Developments tim@resortbrokers.com.au

BC Salary

Ranch Motel Sussex Inlet, NSW

A freehold going concern with vintage charm

This funky freehold going concern provides the charm and nostalgia of another era. With vintage decor throughout the motel, this property offers endless upside potential as we see a resurgence of time-stamped accommodations.

This dancing queen is ready to make a comeback with a retro renovation. The single floor layout offers easy accessibility for maintenance and caters for a variety of mobility needs. The motel offers 3 popular sleeping configurations and 2 self-contained units. All rooms have been exceptionally maintained, requiring only aesthetic upgrades.

Rarely available with a modest motel operation, this property boasts a fully detached 3-bedroom owner’s residence. This spacious home is extended by two verandahs and a backyard, perfect for the family.

Set on 3,394 sqm of land, there is plenty of scope for development or expansions (STCA). Ranch Motel is officially recognised as an evacuation point for Sussex Inlet thanks to its high elevation, providing new owners protection against the risk of flooding. The block in front of the motel is subject to build restrictions, ensuring Ranch Motel’s unobstructed waterfront views are preserved.

Located next door to Sussex Inlet Bowls Club and a short walk to a network of waterways, Ranch Motel is an absolute treasure.

• Fully detached 3-bedroom owner’s residence

• Well-maintained property with new Colorbond roofing

• Considerable upside potential

• Prime location with easy access to pristine beaches

• Large block with development opportunities (STCA)

Gladstone Downtown Central Gladstone, QLD

Gladstone with premium tenant

Comprising 37 strata titled lots with a yearly rent of $729,349, Gladstone Downtown Central offers a unique chance to own the freehold passive of a blue-chip accommodation asset in Central Queensland. The region has a strong appeal as a tourist and business destination.

The incoming owner benefits from a first-rate tenant, Central Apartment Group, a leading hotel company in Australia. They recently renewed their 5-year lease in July 2023, with three more 5-year renewal options, possibly extending the lease to 2043. The hotel is trading well, providing the owner a top-up based on 42.5% of the gross accommodation revenue. The property is strata titled, allowing the owner to sell individual units to meet local housing demand and adjust rents accordingly. This exceptional freehold passive investment in the vibrant regional city of Gladstone offers stability and growth potential for astute investors.

• Central location, walking distance to business/leisure precincts

• Stable, first-rate tenant in place until at least 2028 and conceivably 2043 if options renewed

• 37 strata titled lots incorporating reception, conference room, ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments

• High annual rent of $729,349

• Hotel is trading well to benefit from a top-up based on 42.5% of the gross accommodation revenue

• Building less than 15 years old

• No large-scale works under consideration until 2028

• Conference facilities accommodating 40 delegates attract corporate trade

Annual Rent

$729,349

$ Expressions of Interest

Nathan Benjamin Broker, Central Queensland nathanb@resortbrokers.com.au

Trudy Crooks Managing Director trudy@resortbrokers.com.au

The Retreat & The Cape Varsity Lakes, QLD

Rare dual Gold Coast management rights with huge upside potential

ResortBrokers presents the opportunity for you to acquire the Management Rights of two side-by-side highly desirable permanent complexes, located in a master planned community at Varsity Lakes.

There is potential to grow the already healthy Net Profit via converting the 12 outside agents, and with the flexibility of not having to reside on site, further income of approximately $35,000+ pa. can be generated by renting out the Managers 3-bedroom Unit.

Overall, the combined sale of The Retreat and The Cape presents as an exciting opportunity for a savvy buyer to invest in a thriving business in one of Australia’s most sought-after cities, the Gold Coast.

• Immaculately presented complexes with resort-style facilities

• 121 units across two complexes with 31 in the letting pool

• Potential to grow the business via converting 12 outside agents

• Excellent $235,365 Caretakers Salary

• No set office hours, no requirement to live onsite

• Increase income via renting out manager’s unit

• Office / reception on title at The Cape

• Manager’s unit 3-bed, 2.5-bath, 2 car spaces

• P&L includes wages for gardener and common area cleaning contractors to perform Body Corporate duties.

• Inspections are by appointment only $ $2,190,000

Quest Townsville on Eyre Townsville, QLD

Exceptional freehold opportunity to the only Quest property in Townsville

ResortBrokers is excited to exclusively present to market an exceptional opportunity to own the freehold of the only Quest-branded property in Townsville.

With a yearly rent of $1,495,000, Quest Townsville on Eyre presents an outstanding opening to own the freehold passive of a blue-chip accommodation asset ready to capitalise on Townsville’s ever-growing appeal as a tourist and business destination.

With a blue chip tenant in place in the form of a Quest franchisee, the incoming owner will have the security of having Australia’s leading apartment hotel brand as a highly capable operator managing a fully staffed and experienced team. The franchisee has a 10-year lease that expires in March 2027 with three further 5-year options to renew which conceivably extends the lease to 2042.

Importantly, the property will have all major items required to be refurbished under the lease completed prior to settlement. Under Quest’s contractual agreements with its landlords, it is the landlord’s responsibility to conduct various upgrades to the building as stipulated in the lease.

• Freehold passive investment of Townsville’s only Quest-branded property

• Annual rent of $1,495,000 + GST

• Opportunity to buy a first class asset with a high yield compared to other asset classes

• 85 serviced apartments from studios to three-bedroom apartments

• Property being refurbished prior to settlement

• Wide array of room sizes caters to business/leisure, long/short stays

• Conference facilities accommodating 80 delegates attract corporate trade

• Central Townsville location, walking distance to The Strand

• Townsville’s established and growing appeal as a business/leisure destination

• Inspections by appointment only

$1,495,000 Annual Rent $ of Interest Expressions

The Nambucca Motel Nambucca Heads, NSW

Solid freehold going concern motel with enormous upside in Nambucca Heads

Set across six hectares along a beautiful stretch of the Nambucca River, the 29-room Nambucca Motel has been a local mainstay for the last 50 years.

With an annual net profit of $482,498, The Nambucca Motel is a solid, secure accommodation business in one of the Mid North Coast’s most beloved beachside destinations.

The motel is just five minutes’ drive from the Nambucca Heads town centre and just 10 minutes off the Pacific Highway.

Being located on the river, the motel has a private boat ramp and jetty for guest use, as well as a resort-size swimming pool surrounded by swaying palm trees. The motel’s other amenities include a bar and restaurant serviced by a commercial kitchen.

The Mid North Coast has seen steady trading for many years and this asset holds significant potential. While the property is well maintained and returns a healthy annual profit, the asset is poised for a refurbishment by a new owner with the vision to realise its full potential.

• Freehold going concern of 29-room Nambucca Heads motel

• 6 hectares (15 acres) along Nambucca River

• 5 minutes’ drive from Nambucca Heads town centre and 10 minutes from Pacific Highway

• Annual net profit over $482,000

• Tightly held asset, sold just three times since inception

• First time to market in 15 years

• Facilities include in-ground swimming pool, private boat ramp/jetty

• Bar and restaurant serviced by commercial kitchen add revenue

• Spacious three-bedroom manager’s residence detached from main motel

• Asset offers a secure business as is, but a refurbishment will fully realise untapped potential $482,498 Net Profit $ $921,197 Tuurnover $ $5,000,000 Price

Lifestyle & Location Nundah,

Looking to get into management rights? This fabulous townhouse complex near Nundah is the perfect entry point, now with a reduced price ready for sale!

With 24 years remaining on the 25-year caretaking agreement, this business is as safe as houses in uncertain economic times. The income is inflation-proof because the body corporate salary of $113,897, which accounts for two-thirds of the net income of $167,000, rising with CPI annually.

The letting side of the business benefits from a scarcity of rentals in the area, The body corporate committee is friendly and co-operative, and the complex has a supportive community-minded atmosphere.

The vendor is highly co-operative and will train you up on the easy-to-operate systems and procedures. What’s more, there are no set office hours, which gives you maximum flexibility in how you want to manage your caretaking duties.

The manager’s townhouse is a spacious 3-bed, 2-bath living area with a great entertaining space and separate office to do business. Its pricing of $630K represents incredible value for this location, a price that would not be available were the property offered for sale separate to the business. The complex is a five-minute walk to Toombul station with vibrant shopping and dining hubs only min away!

• Strong net income of $167,000

• Body Corporate salary of approx. $113K that increases annually with CPI

• Over 12% Return on Investment, including real estate!

• Manage as you see fit, no office hours stipulated

• Extensive handover and support provided

• Co-operative body corporate committee

• Solid letting business with rentals being scarce in a rising market

• Brisbane CBD only 10 min away!

Frank Matus Broker, Brisbane frank@resortbrokers.com.au

Bellevue at Trinity Beach Trinity Beach, QLD

“Belle” translates to beautiful, and Bellevue at Trinity Beach accurately reflects that!

Something special in paradise! Bellevue at Trinity Apartments stands up to its reputation of having some of the most spectacular Trinity Beach accommodation with uninterrupted 180 degree ocean views of the Coral Sea looking out towards the Great Barrier Reef.

Boasting impressive 9.3 rating from Booking.com, Bellevue at Trinity Beach has established itself as a top choice for domestic and international travellers and has a healthy rate of return visitation. Trinity Beach is a favourite for many in the region, given its vibrant cosmopolitan feel along the waterfront with al fresco dining on offer and the constant holiday vibe ever present.

Bellevue provides direct beach access via stairs from its elevated location at Trinity Beach. With the Cairns region experiencing unprecedented demand for holiday accommodation, there has never been a better time to operate a thriving business like Bellevue at Trinity Beach.

• BC salary of $68,175 per annum

• 21 years remaining on agreements

• High occupancy year round at 83%

• Refurbished and spacious 2 bed, 2 bath managers residence

• Office on title

• Easily maintained grounds and gardens

• Elevator access to all beachfront apartments

• Spectacular wet edge pool overlooking Coral Sea $218,220

$1,400,000

Solarus Apartments Townsville, QLD

Prestigious permanent MR business in a very popular precinct with solid income

Situated in the well sought-after location of Palmer Street known as the city’s south bank, Solarus Apartments is perfectly positioned to enjoy all that the area has to offer: fabulous bars, cafes and restaurants which capture the essence of international cuisine whilst offering city and water views.

With 13 units in the letting pool and no set office hours in place, there is additional upside on offer with the inclusion of extra rentals currently being managed in the adjacent building. All 2 or 3 bedroom apartments offer spacious living areas, ensuites, full kitchens and laundry facilities.

Secure onsite carparking is both above and underground and is shared with the adjacent building. This is an easy to manage property with no mowing and gardening. An exclusive use office is easily located on the ground floor with a large living area which complements the space.

• Strong net profit

• Solid BC salary

• Sought-after location with water views

• Experienced staff to assist with transition

• Spacious 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom manager’s residence with water views

• Easily managed complex with systems in place for smooth transition

• No set office hours

• Located in very popular, growing precinct

• Opportunity to grow revenue by growing letting pool.

• Supportive Body Corporate

$198,215

Net Profit $ Total Price $1,200,000 $ Business Price $890,000

Des Fagg

Permanent Management Rights in North Brisbane comprising 104 low set villas with 30 units in the letting pool.

The business has a solid income of $183,396 and very affordable manager’s Residence. There is no requirement to live onsite, the office attached is on title and has great separation from the managers residence offering flexibility to the incoming manager.

The business is showing a robust ROI over 15% with plenty of upside to grow the letting pool and increase the bottom line through repairs and maintenance.

• Solid return on investment - Over 15%

• BC Salary of $126,204

• No office hours - No requirement to live onsite

• 25 year Agreements with18.5 years remaining

• Managers Residence 3 bed,1 bath $380,000 – Great value!

• Located just minutes from Morayfield Shopping Centre & local amenities

• Facilities – Pool, BBQ area, Off leash dog park

Fantastic opportunity for an astute operator to secure this management rights and associated real estate in the burgeoning suburb of Kippa-Ring on the Redcliffe Peninsula.

These two adjoining complexes comprise of 150 Townhouses with 61 units in the letting pool, there are minimum facilities to maintain and long tenure remaining on the agreements. The large manager’s residence is a 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom townhouse with office attached, private courtyard, double lock up garage and spacious open plan perfect for the family. The second managers unit is tenanted and comprises 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

• Solid return on investment – Over 15%

• BC Salary $205,389

• 25 year agreements – 22 years & 20 Years remaining

• Minimal facilities - No pools, BBQ areas only

• Second managers residence rental income – circa $18k per annum

• Could be run under management and still show a healthy ROI

• Lifestyle living on the Redcliffe Peninsula

$ $380,000 Real Estate Price $183,396 Net Profit

$ $1,205,000 Total Price

$316,140 Net Profit

$ $700,000 Real Estate Price

$ $2,115,000 Business Price

Richlands Outlook II Richlands, QLD

ResortBrokers is delighted to present an exclusive opportunity to acquire a well-established permanent management rights business located in the highly sought-after suburb of Richlands. Consisting of a strong body corporate salary coupled with a consistent letting business, this management rights has an excellent base to work from and provides a stable income to the incoming purchaser. The complex is well-established and features an in-ground pool and low maintenance gardens. There is minimal caretaking required for the incoming operator(s) with the body corporate providing all equipment necessary to maintain the complex. A contractor has also been appointed and paid by the body corporate to service and maintain the pool, as well as provide all chemicals and materials necessary.

The business is based on a 25-year caretaking and letting agreement with 23 years remaining following the successful top-up. All owners (including all committee members) voted YES which shows a very healthy and supportive body corporate relationship. The incoming manager will inherit a solid excellent relationship with the body corporate committee and owners.

• Long-agreement terms - 23 years

• No set office hours

• P&L prepared by industry professional accountant

• Modern permanent townhouse complex with no community gate

• Strong and consistent letting pool

• Located in highly sought-after area with high rental demand

• Upside potential through additional income streams

• Well-appointed manager’s unit with 3 bedroom, 2.5 baths and double garage

• Suitable for either first-time buyer or experienced operator as add-on to their existing portfolio

• Inspections are by appointment only

$208,843

Net Profit $ Total Price $1,696,000 $ Business Price $1,201,000

Jessie Shi Broker, Brisbane jessie@resortbrokers.com.au

Nathan Eades Broker, Brisbane nathan@resortbrokers.com.au

Pavilions on Parkvue Oxley, QLD

Looking for a business-only management rights? Pavilions on Parkvue is the ticket.

The 66-unit Pavilions on Parkvue in Brisbane’s southwest suburb of Oxley is an outstanding opportunity to own and operate a business-only management rights in a suburb that was listed as a top Brisbane pick for 2023 by Savings.com.au.

The master-planned Parkvue community boasts beautifully appointed 3- and 4-bedroom townhouse-style homes set amid easy-to-maintain grounds which include an attractive swimming pool and recreational area.

The management rights for this complex have been held by developer Unison Projects since the third stage of the complex was completed approximately 12 months ago. It is now being offered to market for the first time, backed by a caretaking salary of $73,633

At 66-units, the letting component of the business is extremely promising given the quality of the premises and Oxley’s proximity to both Brisbane and Ipswich via the Ipswich motorway.

• Caretaking-only business in the heart of Brisbane’s booming inner southwest

• Gross caretaking salary of $73.633 with yearly CPI increases or 3%

• Exclusive use office at the complex for the manager to utilise

• No real estate to purchase

• Currently contractors perform the duties and can be retained by new owners if they wish

• Huge storage shed for all your caretaking equipment and supplies

• 20 years remaining on Accommodation module agreements

$73,633 Gross Caretaking $ $405,000 Price

Botanica McDowall, QLD

Nearing completion off-the-plan townhouse complex — business only

ResortBrokers brings the off the plan, business-only management rights to Botanica in McDowall to market exclusively. Botanica is a boutique designed, three staged townhouse development delivered by Metro Property. Already well-progressed with construction, Stage A and B are due to complete in late 2023, and final Stage C being due in early 2024. All stages are 100% sold out and it has an estimated 70% investor profile joining the on-site letting pool.

In total there are 83 high quality, two-level townhouses and has been planned with minimal residential facilities to keep caretaking duties very manageable, there is no pool, office or storage so it would suit a local based operator as a lucrative bolt-on business. Botanica comes with new 25 year accommodation module agreements that have no requirement to live on-site or managers to own a lot in the scheme, and no set office hours. The Body Corporate salary is $124,500 p/a attracting an annual CPI increase and the business has an overall projected net profit of $325,283.

Fantastic opportunity to buy a premium grade new development with plenty of potential for future growth in this very popular location on the northside of Brisbane

• Comprising 83 executive level townhomes with 3 and 4 bedrooms

• Three staged development with Stage A and B due to complete in late 2023

• Estimated 70% investor profile with projected 58 joining the letting pool

• Body Corporate salary of $124,500 p.a. plus GST

• No set office hours or requirement for manager to live on-site

• Brand new 25 year caretaking and letting agreements

• Minimal common areas and facilities for easy caretaking

• 100% sold out across all three stages

• Close to local amenities in a thriving northside neighbourhood

Frank Matus Broker, Brisbane frank@resortbrokers.com.au

Tim Crooks Director of New Developments tim@resortbrokers.com.au

Quest Toowoomba Toowoomba, QLD

Secure your future with this lucrative leasehold opportunity in Toowoomba

Centrally located in Toowoomba’s business district, Quest Toowoomba’s ground-floor reception facilities have been adapted from a historical church resulting in a truly unique and stunning asset.

The business is also well positioned near all major connections that service South East Queensland including the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Brisbane and the Western and Darling Downs alike.

With consistently strong financial figures during and post-Covid19, this is a business an incoming purchaser should have confidence of continued performance driven by loyal clients coupled with exceptional occupancy and rate.

The property opened in 2015 and the experienced franchisees have grown a dedicated and loyal team in this time. There is approximately 20 years left on the initial lease including options. The new owner will be hands-on in the business and looking to continue to drive this property to reach its potential.

The business has gone from strength to strength following on from Covid-19 and a long 20 years on the lease make this a prime investment for the new Franchisee. So don’t miss out on this opportunity and contact Nathan today with your enquiries.

• Loyal and hardworking staff in place

• Current is occupancy 70% YTD

• Full franchise support from the Quest team

• 20 years remaining on the lease

• Strong ARR of $233 per night

• Boasting a net profit of $1,414,272 for FY23

• Inspections by appointment only $1,414,272 Net Profit $ $5,250,000 Price $ $4,457,225 Turnover

Park View & Alma Parklands North Lakes & Dakabin, QLD

Superb, large-scale North Brisbane MR opportunity

ResortBrokers exclusively brings to market the opportunity for experienced operators to secure the management rights to either of these prime assets indiviually or in one-line at a discounted price.

Park View in North Lakes and Alma Parklands in Dakabin are two outstanding, large-scale, fully established permanent residential complexes with a combined NOP in excess of $1.2m, with upside potential through R&M. The business has no set hours and lengthy tenure on agreements and comprise of 373 townhouses with 296 in the on-site letting pools.

Each property has a requirement for managers to reside on-site and provides a very spacious, four bedroom standalone home with an attached office in each for smooth, independent operation. The employed caretakers at Alma are keen to stay on managing this business. There’s plenty of upside by active managers being involved with unit sales, winning back outside agents and growing the repairs and maintenance side of the business.

Park View North Lakes

• Park View comprises of 218 units with 156 in the letting pool

• 21 years remaining on Caretaking and Letting Agreements

• No set office hours & manageable workload

• BC Salary of $340,281

• Net Profit: $751,897

• Business Price: $4,850,000

• Real Estate Price: $800,000

Alma Parklands Dakabin

• Alma comprises of 155 units with 140 in the letting pool

• 24 years remaining on Caretaking and Letting Agreements

• No set office hours & manageable workload

• BC Salary of $241,091

• Net Profit of $572,219

• Business Price: $3,600,000

• Real Estate Price: $600,000

IN ONE-LINE / COMBINED OFFERING

$1,219,191 Net Profit $ $8.25m BUS + $1.4m RE Price

Jeff Keast Broker, Brisbane jeff@resortbrokers.com.au

Alex Cook Director alex@resortbrokers.com.au

Northshore & Palm Beach Residences

Palm Beach, QLD

Newly established and nearly completedtwo premium MLRs in Palm Beach

An unprecedented business-only management rights opportunity located in the stunning southern coastal suburb of Palm Beach. Northshore and Palm Beach Residences are two impressive apartment complexes comprising first-class amenity. Located 900m from each other, these two business-only offerings have no requirement to live on-site, no set office hours and solid BC salaries and projected letting pools.

Palm Beach Residences is a newly established 9 level building currently managed by the developer. Comprising a total of 80 units, 39 in the letting pool, 24 years on Agreements and additional income streams via internet and cleaning, plus a freehold title office which forms part of the sale.

Northshore is well progressed with construction and due to settle by early 2023. It will host 93 units with 50 projected in the permanent pool and includes a large 31sqm freehold office on ground floor which is ideal for operating the business from.

• Two buildings 900m distance from each other

• Being marketed for sale individually or in one-line

• Both are set up as permanent run buildings, no short-term

Palm Beach Residences

• 80 units with 39 in the letting pool

• Projected net profit of $271,048 with 25 years remaining on Agreements

• Body Corporate Salary of $122,160 p.a. plus GST

• No requirement to own a lot or reside on site and no set office hours

• Manager’s office freehold title lot of 19sqm

• Resort pool, firepit, private dining room, boardroom, lounge, bar, BBQ & pizza oven

Northshore Residences

• 93 apartments with projected 50 in pool

• Projected net profit of $358,628 with a $169,091 Body Corporate Salary

• No requirement to own a lot or reside on site and no set office hours

• Brand new 25 year Caretaking and Letting Agreements

• Pool, steam sauna, kitchen, dining, cinema & private lounge, terrace, gym and yoga lawn.

$629,676 Net Profit $ $3,652,119 + $295K Offices Price

Todd Warner Broker, Southern Gold Coast todd@resortbrokers.com.au

Blazing Stump Motel & Suites Wodonga, VIC

Iconic VIC motel first time to market, profit over $1.1m with room to grow

ResortBrokers is excited to exclusively present for the first time ever to market the freehold going concern of Blazing Stump Motel & Suites in thriving Wodonga. This is an incredible opportunity to own and operate a business of considerable scale and incredible repeat clientele in one of Victoria’s most rapidly growing regions.

On offer is the well-established and highly profitable motel freehold business comprising 56 rooms and 10 cabins. Appealing to all markets the business boasts a turnover of circa $2.6 million with a net profit of over $1.1 million underpinned by exceptional goodwill built up over the last three decades of operation.

Also on offer is an adjacent parcel of land measuring approximately 7,000 sqm. Established in 1992, Blazing Stump Motel & Suites has cemented itself as one of Wodonga’s most popular accommodation venues. The owners have continually upgraded and reinvested in this immaculate property.

The motel has a wide variety of accommodation options from suites to apartments to cabins making it an attractive destination for both corporate and leisure trade. The motel benefits from strong repeat clientele, particularly its corporate trade which is driven by both private and public sector contracts. Located in one of Victoria’s fastest developing regions, Blazing Stump is perfectly positioned to take advantage of Wodonga’s continued growth as both a population center and economic powerhouse.

• Well established motel with solid 30-year track record

• Immaculate condition

• Adjacent 7,000 sqm block of land with compatible zoning

• Goodwill built up over the last three decades

• Wide variety of accommodation, including suites, apartments and cabins

• Conference and boardroom facilities cater to corporate trade

• Continued increase in trading year-on-year

• Located in a booming region with Prime position just off the Murray Valley Highway

• Less than 3 km from the heart of Wodonga and an easy drive to Albury

• Longstanding employees make for a smooth transition

$1,109,859 Net Profit

$ Price $12,500,000

Trudy Crooks Managing Director trudy@resortbrokers.com.au

Established central Melbourne FM & letting business offering over $200k net

Opera Apartments is a stunning high-rise located on St Kilda Road which comprises of 235 units with 70 permanent rentals in the pool. The business has a net profit of $201,654, 20 years left on Agreements and provides an office under OA. There is no requirement to own a unit or live on-site, an optional 2-bed unit is for sale with the business attracting a rent of $660 p/w.

• Opera was built in 2018 and run under management by the developer

• Net profit of $201,654 p.a.

• $160,279 Owners Corporation Salary

• Total of 235 apartments and 70 in the letting pool

• 20 years remaining on Letting and Facilities Management Agreements

• Pool, gym, steam room, library, lounge, dining and wine room

• Located in the vibrant neighbourhood of St Kilda Road

Exceptional MLR business with $578k net profit

Built in 2020, Sky Garden includes three towers with 536 units and 134 in permanent pool. Freehold office and storage areas for manager use with set hours. On-site facilities include rooftop gardens, pool, gym, day spa, library, meeting and private dining rooms. No requirement to own a lot or reside on-site.

• Highly desirable location for permanent rentals

• Body corporate salary of $330,942 p.a.

• No set office hours and no requirement to live onsite

• High combined net profit of $578,574

• Long 23 year tenure remaining on FM & Letting Agreements

• Operational spaces include offices and multiple storage areas

• Separate Concierge Agreement on 3/3/3 year term

• On-site pool, gym, steam, and spa rooms, library, meeting and private dining rooms.

$ $160,279 OC Salary

$ $958,000 Business Price

$ $745,000 Real Estate Price $201,654 Net Profit $578,574 Net Profit

$ $3,050,000 Business Price

Tim Crooks Director of New Developments tim@resortbrokers.com.au

Alex Cook Director

Opera Melbourne

VIC

Sky Garden Melbourne

VIC REF // MRB007839 REF // MRB007838

Quest Macquarie Park Macquarie Park, NSW

Secure this outstanding leasehold opportunity in an enviable high performing, huge growth north west Sydney location!

ResortBrokers is thrilled to present this exclusive offering: the exceptional business of Quest Macquarie Park. Situated within one of Sydney’s most prominent business park districts, Quest Macquarie Park stands as a key accommodation provider in Sydney’s North West. This modern 4.5 star establishment’s strategic location is surrounded by office buildings hosting a multitude of global and domestic companies with an enviable growth trajectory also capitalising on strong leisure business. A healthy pipeline of project work to the area drives the assurance of a prosperous future to the business.

A golden opportunity awaits the successful purchaser in the form of a leasehold interest in the 111 key serviced apartment building. Opened in December 2016 and maintained to a high standard, this Quest award-winning property boasts a supportive landlord relationship, strong occupancy and significant operating profit.

This investment opportunity encapsulates both corporate and leisure appeal, showcasing a prime location, versatile accommodation offerings and a highly regarded franchise association.

As part of the largest serviced apartment provider across the globe, Quest Apartment Hotels offers the business ownership for a hands-on, energetic operator, who will be offered substantial support systems to successfully operate this hotel.

• Premium location in ever growing Macquarie Park business district housing many large global and national companies poised for rapid growth

• Conveniently located within close proximity to major corporate offices, medical facilities, shopping centres and public transport

• Strong relationship with supportive landlord

• Modern facilities and accommodations, opened in December 2016

• Operated under the prestigious and supportive Quest Apartment Hotels brand

• Rapid, impressive bounce back post-pandemic

• Diverse client base driving amazing 97% occupancy

• Amenities include guest reception, gymnasium, level 4 outdoor barbeque area, guest laundry and a conference room with connecting kitchen

$1,958,225

Profit $ Price $7,300,000 $ Turnover $7,389,744

Jacqueline Featherby

Broker, Central Coast NSW, Hunter & Blue Mountains jacqueline@resortbrokers.com.au

Tim Mayoh Broker, Greater Sydney tim.m@resortbrokers.com.au

Raby Bay Quays Raby Bay, QLD

Spectacular bayside MLR offers great lifestyle, income and premium unit

ResortBrokers brings an exciting management rights business and associated real estate to market: Raby Bay Quays. The permanent complex is well-established and located right on the marina in the highly desired, beautiful bayside suburb of Raby Bay.

Incoming managers will get the best of both worlds, a solid business with a net income of circa. $165,000, supported by a strong body corporate salary of $127,759 per annum and the chance to live in one of the most stunning bayside communities. The MLR business comes with 25-year agreements, has no set office hours except to be contactable by phone during regular business hours.

Raby Bay Quays is one of the finest community living waterfront villages in the Raby Bay area with its own private marina. The property comprises 56 apartments, many with waterfront positions, attracting a premium rental of up to $900 per week. The complex provides residents with superb on-site amenities such as a lap pool, sauna, gymnasium and barbecue area and the opportunity to moor you boat out front and explore Moreton Bay.

The manager’s unit is a premium three-bed, two-bath apartment, which makes the requirement to live on-site a luxury rather than an inconvenience. At an asking price of $895,000 it represents exceptional value.

• Marina position in highly sought-after bayside neighbourhood

• 19 years remaining on 25-year agreements

• Total of 56 apartments with 2- and 3-bedroom options

• 10 units in the letting pool

• $127,759 p.a. body corporate salary with annual CPI review

• No set office hours

• Spacious manager’s unit of 3 bed, 2 bath

• Strong rental appeal – average $600 up to $900 for waterfront

• Great lifestyle opportunity in Raby Bay close to amenities, shopping, café/restaurant precinct, public transport & top QLD private schools $165,000 Net Profit circa $ $660,000 Business Price $ $1,555,000 Total Price

Picture Point Terraces Noosa Heads, QLD

Rare and unique management rights opportunity with breathtaking views in 5-star luxury

Never to be built out, never to be repeated. Discover a rare opportunity nestled in Noosa’s tropical paradise. An exquisite resort boasting diverse luxury apartments, each an opulent oasis of coastal charm. With panoramic ocean and Noosa Heads views, this prime location draws guests seeking unforgettable experiences. High demand, consistent returns and a history of 72% repeat guests underscore its appeal.

The resort’s contemporary design, premium amenities, and strong online reputation ensure lasting profitability. Seize the chance to elevate your portfolio with this exclusive management rights opportunity. Enquire now to unlock the full potential of this luxurious prospect in one of Australia’s most sought-after destinations. The manager’s residence oozes luxury and needs to be seen to be appreciated.

• 13 luxury apartments - 9 in the manager’s letting pool

• Standard module agreements -10 years to be topped up on settlement

• Luxury manager’s residence valued at $2.4M (valuation available)

• Solid body corporate salary

• To be sold on an unbelievable 3 times multiplier

• Easily run by one person or couple

Glenn Millar Broker, Sunshine Coast glenn@resortbrokers.com.au

Chenoa Daniel Broker, Sunshine Coast chenoa@resortbrokers.com.au

Start the year on the right financial foot

Happy new financial year! Maybe no fireworks to start the new fiscal period but an exciting time nonetheless; a time to review opportunities and reassess business goals.

Upcoming compliance deadlines to note as we ease into the new year:

• Final payroll finalisation via Single Touch Payroll was due on 14 July 2023. If not complete, please action without delay.

• Employee superannuation contributions for the April–June 2023 quarter were due and payable by 28 July 2023. If not complete, you must action immediately to minimise any interest and penalties applicable.

• Lodgement of the June 2023 quarter BAS is due by 25 August 2023, where lodging via a BAS or tax agent who enjoys a 4-week extension to the usual quarterly lodgement due date.

• Taxable payments annual report (TPAR) to report payments made to contractors is due for lodgement by 28 August 2023.

With the new year comes some changes which may impact you or your business, a summary of key changes from 1 July below:

National minimum wage and award rate increases

Pay rate increases should have been applied to the first full pay period post 1 July 2023. Please review your payroll system, setup to ensure correct rates are being paid and any backpay is processed if any underpayments have been made.

Employer super guarantee rate increase

From 1 July 2023 the super guarantee rate on all employee ‘ordinary time earnings’ increased to 11 per cent. Most systems should have automatically updated the statutory rate applicable, but check your payroll system to ensure it is correct.

Remember employee superannuation is always payable by the 21st of the month following end of quarter. There is no extension to this due date regardless of when your BAS may be due. I recommend you process and pay your superannuation as soon as possible after the end of each month or quarter to ensure you have time to rectify any issues before the final due date. Penalties for late paid superannuation can be severe, including the loss of tax deductibility for the entire amount of super paid late.

Instant asset write-off limit cap

The temporary full expensing provisions allowing full tax deductibility of business assets ended on 30 June 2023. From 1 July 2023, the instant asset write-off threshold for eligible small businesses is capped at $20,000 per asset. Assets costing more than $20,000 will be depreciated either over their effective lives or under the small business depreciation pooling provisions. If pooled, depreciation of 15 per cent is claimed in the first year and 30 per cent every year thereafter.

Study and training loan indexation rates

On 1 June 2023, all student loan debt (HECS/HELP etc) was indexed by 7.1 per cent, which is significantly higher than the increases over the prior 10 years. You can check your loan balance via your MyGov account.

Loan repayments are made through the individual tax lodgement system, when individual taxable income reaches a certain threshold, which is $48,361 for the 2023 financial year. Any repayments will be payable on the lodgement of your individual tax return.

Some key changes to note for the 2023 financial year for your consideration:

Low- and middle-income tax offset (LMITO) does not apply to the 2023 tax year

Between 2019 and 2022, there was a tax offset of up to $700 for individuals with taxable income of less than $66,667, which no longer applies from the 2023 financial year.

Despite the individual tax rates remaining the same, individuals with the same taxable income and tax withheld in 2023 as the prior year may find they receive a lesser tax refund or potentially have tax to pay on lodgement of their 2023 tax return.

Motor vehicle registration data sharing

The ATO has announced it will acquire motor vehicle registry for the 2023, 2024 and 2025 financial years. The data includes purchaser and seller identification information, market value of the vehicle bought/sold, type of vehicle, etc.

Importantly, the ATO will be able to data match this information with that reported on business and individual tax returns. You must have a valid logbook to substantiate business use for any vehicles which are not specifically exempt from ‘Fringe Benefits Tax’ considerations, which are bought in a business entity or otherwise claimed as business expenditure. A valid logbook is one which is kept for 12 weeks in a 5-year period.

Small business technology investment boost

Small businesses (with an aggregated turnover of less than $50 million) can deduct an additional 20 per cent of the expenditure incurred for the purposes of business digital operations or digitising its operations.

The boost applies to eligible expenditure incurred between 7.30 pm on 29 March 2022 and 30 June 2023.

The types of eligible expenditure includes internet costs, software subscription fees, website costs, cloud storage, computer hardware, mobile phones, tablets, cameras, POS terminals, etc. The bonus deduction is limited to $100,000 but it is safe to say that if your business isn’t benefitting from this incentive, you might look to review your systems to maximise on the benefits cloudbased systems can provide to your business.

Words_Lel Parnis, Principal, Holmans

Holmans have been our accountants for nearly a decade and have always been wonderful to work with.

Glen Tarrant

Beware the Claw

Words_Mike Phipps, Mike Phipps Finance

I find newborn infants interesting. They seem to appear with little personality and a case of sheer exhaustion, presumably due to the rigours of their recent journey. They spend most of their time sleeping or crying and apparently pining for a return to the warm safe place from whence they recently emerged.

As such, I’ve previously been one of those people who finds the little ones far more appealing once they become mobile and start to develop a personality. In the case of our 3-yearold granddaughter that would be very mobile and some personality indeed! We love her dearly but after a day with dear Harper the managing director seems to require more wine and Valium than might otherwise be good for her. I exaggerate for effect of course …

The recent arrival of our first grandson caused me to reassess this apparent ambivalence. Given the happy news in the middle of the night I found myself having a little cry and feeling very odd indeed. It turns out I’d been quite anxious about the whole thing and the sheer relief of knowing the little guy had landed safely made me quite emotional. Must be getting soft in my old age but I digress.

Of course, we visited the hospital the next day and there was much oohing and aahing. The MD was immediately smitten, and I must confess having a nurse was pretty special. However, there’s only so much time one can spend in a hospital room before the mobile devices sneak out and it’s back to work. This, of course, is an error. As soon as the MD observed that my attention was not 100 per cent focused on the new arrival I was left in no doubt of my transgression.

“What the hell could you be doing that’s more important than spending time with your new grandson? Have you no sense of the occasion? What is wrong with you?”

“Well dearest, I’m working on a deal that includes clawback and claw forward provisions and the calculation of those numbers is doing my head in. I’m just trying to write something that might help me make sense of it all.”

“Claw! … I’ll give you claw if you don’t put that iPad away right now and pay attentionto this baby.”

And so, dear readers, I approach the claw with trepidation, fear, loathing and a certain sense of impending calamity. But, as one who enjoys opening Pandora’s Box just to observe the mayhem, here goes!

Management rights are bought on a verified net profit. That net profit is made up of a body corporate salary and income from providing letting services. The letting service income is predominantly driven by the number of units in the letting pool, the configuration of those units and the occupancy and tariff that those units can generate. This combination of occupancy and tariff is often referred to as RevPAR – revenues per available room.

It is possible to calculate exactly how much each unit in the letting pool makes for the manager. Given that calculation it is then also possible to calculate how much each of those letting appointments is worth. Or is it? To assume that the loss of a unit from a letting pool would impact the profit by the amount that unit makes is to assume the property is running at 100 per cent occupancy 365 days a year.

Otherwise, with the exception of those times when a property is in fact 100 per cent full, the loss of a unit simply means other units enjoy higher occupancy and there is no material impact on the manager’s profit. As such, there is an argument that any price adjustment occasioned by the loss of a letting appointment should only reflect lost revenue during times of 100 per cent occupancy. These calculations can be quantified using historical data that in most cases form the basis of the forensic accounting process we know as verification of net profit.

There are, of course, other matters that need to be taken into account. Some are quantifiable, some are not. For example, unit configurations, particularly high demand layouts, need to be considered. Less quantifiable but equally important is what the loss of a letting appointment says about the status quo in a property. To know that an appointment has been lost is important, to know why is equally so.

There is another piece of this jigsaw puzzle that’s worth thinking about but be warned, I don’t have an answer. The value of a letting appointment will be impacted by future demand. In a rising demand market appointments will become more valuable, in a falling demand cycle, less so. I don’t have a formula for this but if you are tossing a coin on appointment values worth thinking about.

So, I think we can establish that existing appointment values can be quantified via historical data relating to the specific lot, overlaid with considerations regarding occupancy and income loss during peak demand periods. That just leaves new appointments acquired between contract and settlement. The value of these cannot be quantified via historical performance data relating to the specific lot acquired so what to do? The easy answer is to apply the same principles to claw forward as those applied to claw backs but that’s a potentially flawed approach.

Here’s why.

It seems implausible to me that on the one hand a forensic approach can be taken to determine the value of units lost and then to apply the same numbers to a projected and unproven hypothetical income that a new unit might derive. As such, we are essentially comparing proven historical performance with a projected income and as we know multiples on projections attract discounts. My conclusion is that if a per lot value is assigned to units lost from a letting pool, then a similar methodology should be considered for units gained, but at a discount reflecting proven versus projected income.

Again, there are other considerations at play here. I would contend that in a high demand record RevPAR cycle new appointments are potentially worth the same as lost appointments. While the income on new appointments is indeed projected the risk factor in terms of filling those rooms will be low. Conversely, in a falling demand cycle where occupancy is on the wane, new appointments are potentially valueless. Once again, there’s more to this than meets the eye.

A new appointment signals confidence in management, support for the MLR business model and potentially diversifies the letting pool. There’s a value in all of this but it is beyond me to come up with a formula. Yes, I hear you, dear readers. Mike, so much verbiage, so little solid advice! There’s a reason for that.

Every property is different, and every demand cycle varies. My advice is simple. Just as there is no set multiple for purchase prices, so there is no set formula for claw values. Based on all the potential variables it’s a case-by-case assessment, underpinned by the considerations I’ve described. If in doubt I always start with E = mc2 and work backwards from there.

A word on valuations. I read a recent report where a valuer placed a value on each appointment. The pure mathematics were accurate, but the underlying methodology simply failed to consider all the variables above. I understand the need for valuers to be concise and to underpin reports with specific calculations but failing to consider variables in appointment values seems to me to be missing the point.

Of more concern is that lenders rely on these reports in determining the possible drop in value of a business if it loses an appointment. A more sophisticated approach seems a fair expectation.

In closing, please take into account that I am mostly talking about short stay management rights here. Calculations relating to permanent properties are a whole lot easier and for that I do have a formula. I’ll leave you with a quote from the bloke from whom I have stolen the formula above.

“The formulation of a problem is often far more essential than its solution.”

- A. Einstein, Genius. END

Body Corporate Consent

Words_Matthew Manz, Mahoneys

Some years ago, I wrote an article which explored some of the issues that we were beginning to see in terms of sellers obtaining body corporate consent to an assignment.

Essentially, in that article I expressed my view that the process of obtaining body corporate consent to an assignment was becoming increasingly drawn out and, at times, difficult. The reasons for my view at the time were as follows:

1. Lot owners and committees were more aware of their rights under the Body Corporate and Community Management Act and the caretaking and letting agreements and were exercising those rights;

2. Body corporate solicitors were requesting significantly more information from buyers than ever before (often without justification); and

3. Buyers and sellers were not organised and adequately prepared.

A few years on from that article and I can safely say that the consent process has become significantly more difficult and more drawn out than at any other time over the 20 odd years I’ve been involved in the management rights industry.

Why is this?

Certainly, the three reasons I have mentioned above are as valid today as they were previously. In addition to those reasons, I would add the following:

1. Bodies corporate have been emboldened by the lack of any serious blowback or consequence from previous committee decisions to refuse consent to assignments;

2. Some committees perceive there to be a manager skills gap, particularly in relation to communication and a lack of any experience applicable to running a management rights business. Unfortunately, in a number of instances this view has been justified; and

3. Bodies corporate have previously experienced poor managers and/or have been advised of poor managers by their body corporate manager or body corporate solicitor. Again, and unfortunately, this view has been justified.

With respect to points 2 and 3 it has meant that committees are more cautious when considering assignments, are asking for significantly more information and oftentimes when the applicant has little to no experience a requirement that the applicant undertake appropriate training.

As readers would know, under the Body Corporate and Community Management Modules, in considering an assignment, a committee can have regard to the following:

1. The character of the proposed transferee;

2. The financial standing of the proposed transferee;

3. The proposed terms of the transfer;

4. The competence, qualifications and experience of the proposed transferee and the extent to which those persons have received or are likely to receive training; and

5. Any other matters that are specified in the caretaking and letting agreements.

The caretaking and letting agreements usually place the onus squarely on the shoulders of the seller to ensure that the committee has received all of the information required to consider an assignment.

It is therefore a matter for the seller, and the seller’s lawyer, to make sure that they have this information from the buyer.

To ensure a smoother body corporate consent process my suggestion is that sellers, their lawyers and their agents make it clear to the buyer from the outset what items are required to be given to the body corporate.

In addition to that, given the problems that we are experiencing as a result of the issues I have mentioned above, I would also suggest that when a seller is considering a prospective offer to purchase, that they take into account the skills and experience of the potential buyer in addition to their monetary offer.

It just may be that a smoother body corporate consent process due to the buyer having sufficient skills will save on time, money and angst when compared to a failed or significantly drawn-out body corporate consent process. END

Experts in Management Rights and Motel Law

For over 20 years Mahoneys has been one of Australia’s leading management right and motels law firms.

We are a preferred supplier to the Accommodation Managers Industry and have been recognised by the peak industry body (ARAMA) for our service to the industry. Our team of industry leading lawyers regularly assist clients with:

Ÿ buying and selling accommodation businesses

Ÿ preparing and reviewing leases, licences and service agreements

Ÿ renewing and varying existing management arrangements

Ÿ assisting with remuneration reviews, disputes and other disagreements

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Let’s Get Social!

MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY AUSTRALIA 2023

SYDNEY

On 6 June, ResortBrokers’ Director Alex Cook, and NSW brokers Jacqueline Featherby, Tim Mayoh, Russell Rogers (pictured) and Chris Kelly, attended Maximum Occupancy Australia 2023, one of the Asia-Pacific region’s leading hotel and accommodation industry conferences. Alex joined a panel discussion on the short-term letting market, resident management and Airbnb.

API 58TH ANNUAL KIPARRA DAY CONFERENCE SYDNEY

On 18 August, ResortBrokers’ Director Alex Cook joined a panel of industry experts at the Australian Property Institute’s hallmark event of the year, the annual Kiparra Day Conference. The event provided analysis of economic and other factors impacting the NSW property market.

INNER CIRCLE FORUM 2023

BRISBANE

On 28 August, Comms Manager John Miller represented ResortBrokers at EarthCheck’s annual Inner Circle Forum. ResortBrokers was a first-time sponsor of the event which brings together thought leaders in the tourism industry to share ideas on sustainable tourism best practice. This year’s Inner Circle Forum, the 12th held by EarthCheck, featured an introduction by Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell and a line-up of local and international tourism experts. For more on EarthCheck, see our feature “The Jolly Green Giant.”

QUEST BUSINESS FRANCHISE CONFERENCE

PERTH

On 20 July, ResortBrokers’ Managing Director Trudy Crooks attended the annual Quest Business Franchise Conference. This year’s conference, held at The Ritz-Carlton, Perth, celebrated a milestone for Quest: the brand’s 35th anniversary. ResortBrokers has been the hotel apartment brand’s preferred agent nationwide for leasehold sales for the last decade. Congratulations to our good friends at Quest and here’s to many more great years ahead.

THE DESIGN CONFERENCE

BRISBANE

Always looking to hone our skills, ResortBrokers’ inhouse designers, Ellen O’Neill and Ryan Kidd, attended this year’s The Design Conference over three days in June. The annual event is one of the premier confabs for Australian creatives. This year’s conference, held at Brisbane’s Powerhouse, focused on key trends in the creative industries, business, culture and AI.

As industry leader, we’re always looking to host events to help educate everyone in our network. We also give presentations at Australia’s major conferences.

#weareeverywhere

Local Experts

Nationwide Coverage

Work with the only law firm that delivers industry leading transaction services and advice across all accommodation business types in every state and territory.

Helping hundreds of resident managers, moteliers and park operators each year to acquire, sell, protect and grow their businesses.

Unmatched accessibility and certainty on fees.

What’s Cool In The Industry

Director of New Developments and Hotels Tim Crooks checks in to check out the greenest hotel experiences.

Tim Crooks

m: 0417 544 562

e: tim@resortbrokers.com.au

Svart Technology

Carbon neutral? So yesterday. This Nordic novelty aims to go one better. Six Senses Svart aspires to be the world’s first “energy positive” hotel. It will achieve this remarkable global first by generating more energy than it took to construct it and will take to operate it once it’s up and running. The plan is to use solar panels and geothermal wells to produce enough energy to be fully independent of the power grid within five years of opening, which is scheduled for 2024. The 94-room resort is Six Senses’ first opening in Scandinavia and is quite the splash, so to speak. The striking ring-shaped resort practically hovers over the Holandsfjorden fjord at the foot of the Svartisen glacier about halfway up Norway’s seaboard.

sixsenses.com/en/new-openings/svart

Elliot Nest

Located on a teeny tiny coral cay on the southernmost end of the Great Barrier Reef, the 43-key Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort took out one of the top ecotourism prizes at the 2022 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, the peak awards for our local industry. The resort has also achieved Advanced Ecotourism

Certification, Climate Action Leader

Certification and Green Travel Leader status from Ecotourism Australia. Located about 80 km northeast of Bundaberg in a highly protected Green Zone, the reef and island boast an abundance of marine life and tropical birds — but no mobile phone reception. To reach this place of perfect disconnection you’ll need to catch a plane. Flights depart daily from Bundaberg, Hervey Bay/Fraser Coast, Brisbane and the Gold Coast … leave your phone behind. ladyelliot.com.au

Jurassic Lodge

Australia’s greenest resort, at least according to the World Travel Awards, is Daintree Ecolodge which took out the top prize for Oceania’s Leading Green Hotel in 2022. The resort was also a finalist in the World’s Leading Green Hotel category. The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 by the World Travel and Tourism Council and touts itself as the “Oscars of the travel industry.” Daintree Ecolodge, about 90 minutes’ drive north of Cairns, offers 15 eco-friendly treehouses amid 30 acres of the world’s oldest rainforest. Daintree Ecolodge’s green credentials have been signed off by Ecotourism Australia. The ecolodge is no stranger to green gongs having taken out previous World Travel Awards in 2007, 2009 and 2012. The ecolodge dates from 1993, and the Daintree Rainforest only from 130 million years ago. daintree-ecolodge.com.au

Relief Managers Need A Break?

Please note: this is simply a directory service that we provide to assist you. Should you choose to go on holiday or take a break, we recommend you interview and qualify relief managers yourself, before hiring. You’ll find more managers listed on our website: resortbrokers.com.au/buy/reliefmanagers

DILYS & NEIL HARVEY

Motels Nationwide

0420 948 996 neil.dilys@xtra.co.nz

RICHARD TEMPLE

All property types, Australia Wide

0412 567 214 richard@rmtsolutions.com.au

CARMEL MOLONEY

Motels

QLD Coast

0400 483 291 c.m.j64@hotmail.com

VICTORIA MCDONOUGH & BRENDAN HUGHES

Motels, East Coast

0412 138 642 vickymcdonough@bigpond.com.au

KARLA HARDING

Holiday & Serviced Apartments, Resorts, Boutique Hotels, Bed & Breakfasts

0414 767 499 karla.boutiqueaccomrelief@outlook.com

SABINA WUNSCH

All property types, Australia Wide

0413 155 648 info@swmotelyadvisory.com.au

ROGER ANDREWS & JILLIAN CAIN

Hotels & Motels, VIC & SA

0488 780 071 0403 021 504 jilliancain@optusnet.com.au

LEIGH & GEMMA PETERS

All property types Australia Wide

0432 267 751 geleatham@gmail.com

DAVID & SANDRA CAIRNS

Management Rights QLD

0411 335 539 moretonbeachhouse@bigpond.com

FRED BISHOP

Motels Nationwide

0429 444 010 flashb2261@yahoo.com.au

PETER & MICHELLE JACOBI

resortbrokers.com.au

0427 183 416 casabargara@gmail.com

Motels & Caravan Parks Nationwide SUE BARTON

Motels Nationwide

0432 411 900 bartonsue@rocketmail.com

GRANT SKINNER

Management Rights

Nationwide

0408 996 188 grantandjuliet@bigpond.com

MARTIN & LOMA BARNARD

Strata Complexes, Resorts & Motels Australia Wide, with QLD & NSW preference

0403 364 008 dixlin1962@gmail.com

JOHN & SUSAN DONE

All property types

Nationwide

0447 077 420 suedone@mac.com

SHARON & STEPHEN DEWSBURY

THE GOOD KNIGHTS

All property types

Nationwide

0412 005 537 info@thegoodknights.com.au

PAUL & TANYA GREEN

All property types NSW

0411 874 392 tanyacooper1@msn.com

KAREN & ROBERT NISBET

Motel & Caravan Parks

CHRISTINE WILMOTT

All property types QLD

0413 452 263 christine.09@bigpond.com

SCOTT & LIN MCKENZIE

Management Rights Brisbane Only

0451 010 117 scott@mcwu.com.au

GRAEME & DEBORAH FILIPPE

Motels, NSW & VIC

0427 933 414 0488 934 899 karen.nisbet70@gmail.com.au

Nationwide CHARLES & COLLEEN LUBANS

0427 512 751 graemedebmotelmanagers@outlook.com

BAY6 MOTEL MANAGEMENT

0402 142 075 sharon@airliebeach.net.au

All property types Nationwide GEORGIANNA DYSON

Management Rights QLD

0432 586 099 colleenlubans@hotmail.com

THOMAS GRAF

Motels Nationwide

0416 016 614 info@businessbay6.com.au

CHRIS CAMPBELL

0438 527 894 georgi1440@icloud.com

Motels Nationwide KRISTY & LANCE BUTT

All property types QLD & NSW

0428 902 878 kristymay22@outlook.com

Management Rights, Motels, Caravan Parks & Resorts, Nationwide

0438 014 035 07 4032 1573 tomas49@me.com

BRUCE DRURY

Motel & Caravan Parks Nationwide

0428 631 573 bruceandsandra34@gmail.com

Motel & Management Rights Nationwide

0449 957 414 cj.jwcampbell@gmail.com

CHARLIE MILLINGTON & JACKY RYAN

Caravan Parks & Motels Nationwide

jacquelineryan1@bigpond.com

Meet our team

Introducing ResortBrokers' national team of accommodation business and property brokers. We are the industry experts at your service in every state and territory.

FRANK MATUS

Broker Brisbane

TODD WARNER 0438 170 763 todd@resortbrokers.com.au

Broker Gold Coast South & Northern NSW

SYD DOUGLAS 0427 973 537 syd@resortbrokers.com.au

Broker Central Gold Coast

CLINT AMOS 0482 061 261 clint@resortbrokers.com.au

Broker Gold Coast North

MIGUEL BOZINA

Broker Gold Coast & Northern NSW

0419 848 444 miguel@resortbrokers.com.au

GLENN MILLAR 0412 277 804 glenn@resortbrokers.com.au

CHENOA DANIEL 0403 143 151 chenoa@resortbrokers.com.au

Broker Sunshine Coast

Broker

Sunshine Coast & Fraser Coast

DAVID FAIERS 0432 766 788 davidf@resortbrokers.com.au

Broker Townsville and Surrounds

DES FAGG des@resortbrokers.com.au

Broker North QLD

KELLI CROUCH

Broker South Australia & Northern Territory

0410 441 750

GLEN CUMMINS glen@resortbrokers.com.au

Broker Far North QLD

0427 215 863

JASON VOGLER

Broker South East & South West QLD

NATHAN BENJAMIN

Broker Central QLD

0427 849 119 0459 955 649 nathanb@resortbrokers.com.au

jasonv@resortbrokers.com.au

SHANE CROGHAN shanec@resortbrokers.com.au

0418 451 006

RUSSELL ROGERS

Broker NSW South Coast

0435 742 698 0407 020 443

0416 166 909 0427 431 213 kelli@resortbrokers.com.au

russell@resortbrokers.com.au

SARAH HUTCHINS

Sales Manager to Russell Rogers, South Coast NSW

frank@resortbrokers.com.au sarah@resortbrokers.com.au

Broker

Mid North Coast NSW & New England

JOSHUA ROBERTS 0439 654 464 joshua@resortbrokers.com.au

CHRIS KELLY

Broker

NSW Central West 0431 055 221 chris@resortbrokers.com.au

JACQUELINE FEATHERBY

Broker

NSW Central Coast, Hunter & Blue Mountains 0424 497 056 jacqueline@resortbrokers.com.au

TWEE NGUYEN

Broker

South West Victoria

0405 691 880 twee@resortbrokers.com.au

TIM MAYOH Broker

Greater Sydney 0419 038 882 tim.m@resortbrokers.com.au

RYAN KIDD

Graphic Designer

07 3878 3999 ryan@resortbrokers.com.au

Broker

Western Australia

0433 149 144

BLAIR MACDONALD blair@resortbrokers.com.au

ELLEN O’NEILL

Graphic Designer

07 3878 3999 ellen@resortbrokers.com.au

Property Economist

07 3878 3999

JOSH MANGLESON josh@resortbrokers.com.au

JOANNE CAMPBELL

Receptionist/ Admin Assistant

07 3878 3999 joanne@resortbrokers.com.au

Content and Communications

07 3878 3999

JOHN MILLER john@resortbrokers.com.au

VASA THEODOULOU

Financial Controller, Nationwide

07 3878 3999 vasa@resortbrokers.com.au

Head of Administration, Nationwide

07 3878 3999

KIRSTEN JOHNSON kirsten@resortbrokers.com.au

KYLIE WARNER

Accounts Administration, Nationwide

07 3878 3999 kylie@resortbrokers.com.au

Team Administration Officer

07 3878 3999

JESSICA PEIRCE jessica@resortbrokers.com.au

resortbrokers.com.au