Media Releases

The prospect of penalty rates of up to 275% is forcing Australia’s hoteliers to curtail services over the Easter long weekend holiday period, with restaurants and bars the most affected.

Airbnb Interview with Acting CEO TAA on Radio National

On the 6 March ABC Radio National on their Blueprint for Living segment interviewed Acting CEO TAA on the rise of Airbnb and the implications for the hotel sector. Despite inviting Airbnb, they declined the invitation. Instead a compliant B & B in Albany was interviewed.

The interviewer sought to paint a picture of the accommodation sector being ‘scared’ of the rise of Airbnb with the headline ‘Can the traditional hotel industry survive in the wake of Airbnb?’

We clearly outlined that Airbnb was simply another distribution channel but that our concerns centred around the fact that they were attempting to legitimise illegal short term accommodation.

Please find below a full transcript of the interview: http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/blueprintforliving/

Click below to read the following TAA media releases

Value of events and festivals demonstrated in latest National Visitor Survey figures

Posted on 12 March 2015

The emphasis placed by Federal, State and Local governments on creating and encouraging events is paying off, says Tourism Accommodation Australia.

Tourism Accommodation Australia gives tick of approval for NSW Government’s $6 million regional conferencing strategy

Posted on 5 March 2015

The pledge today by NSW Deputy Premier, Troy Grant, that the Government would spend $6 million implementing a regional conference strategy has been warmly welcomed by Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA).

Focus needs to be on winning international business events

Posted on 1 December 2014
Tourism Accommodation Australia welcomes Federal Government’s new initiative to grow the international business events market in Australia.

Tourism boosted by China Free Trade Agreement

Posted on 18 November 2014
Tourism Accommodation Australia welcomes the announcement of the China Free Trade Agreement with the Australian hotel and tourism sector a major benefactor from the closer ties.

TAA report calls on greater stimulus for Regional NSW Tourism

Posted on 12 November 2014
A recent research report undertaken by Tourism Accommodation Australia NSW reveals that many regional accommodation operators have been struggling with potential to slip further if Government ignores the need for significant investment in regional tourism and infrastructure.

TAA Chair announces imminent departure from Board

Posted on 14 October 2014
The chair of Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA), Mr Tony South, has announced that he will step down as Chair in the lead up to the formation of a new, unified organisation to represent the interests of the Australian accommodation sector.

ACCC Expedia Wotif Approval may mean higher prices for consumers

Posted on 2 October 2014
The accommodation industry today unitedly voiced concerns over the ACCC’s decision to allow the 100% acquisition of Wotif Holdings by rival Expedia.

“One voice for the accommodation industry” as AHA and AAoA agree on joint-venture

Posted on 4 September 2014
The Australian Hotels Association (AHA) and the Accommodation Association of Australia (AAoA) announced today that they had agreed to establish a joint venture between the two organisations to provide “one voice” for Australia’s accommodation industry.

Cornell’s ‘Class of 2014’ inspires new Australian hotel executive development program for 2015

Posted on 1 September 2014
Following the sell-out success of the 2014 Senior Executive Development Program in Australia, Tourism Training Australia together with TAA are delighted to announce the return of two new programs 1-4 June 2015. These programs will focus on Strategic Development for Hospitality Enterprise and Evolving Media in Hospitality Management. Further program details and registration forms available on the attached brochure and or TAA’s Education & Training web page.

Government advocacy Pays” for hotel industry – TAA report shows that $1m spent on international marketing produces $16m ROI

Posted on 22 July 2014
A new report has highlighted the value of the hotel industry’s advocacy to government, with the research estimating that for every incremental $1m spent on international tourism marketing that up to $16m in spend is generated by foreign tourists and 89 additional jobs created.

Reprieve for ABS Survey of Tourist Accommodation welcomed – TAA calls for long-term funding

Posted on 25 June 2014
The Federal Government’s decision to continue funding of the Survey of Tourism Accommodation for another year has been welcomed by Tourism Accommodation Australia.

Rodger Powell, Managing Director Tourism Accommodation announces departure from Tourism Accommodation Australia

Posted on 10 June 2014
Tony South, Chairman of Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA), today announced that Rodger Powell was leaving his role as Managing Director of Tourism Accommodation Australia.

Scrapping the Survey of Tourist Accommodation will be deleterious for the tourism industry and counter-productive for investors

Posted on 6 June 2014
Tourism Accommodation Australia will call on the ABS and Government to reassess the decision to scrap the Survey of Tourist Accommodation, citing the value of this Survey far outweighs the cost of producing it.

citizenM’s Michael Levie announced as keynote speaker for Ted Horner’s CEO Summitt

Posted on 6 June 2014
As a major sponsor of Ted Horner’s CEO Summit TAA is delighted with the announcement that Michael Levie, founder of the World’s ‘trendiest’ new hotel brand – citizenM – will be the keynote speaker at the CEO Summit in Sydney. Register here.

P&O’s Australian cruise ship expansion to provide major boost to the accommodation sector

Posted on 21 May 2014
Tourism Accommodation Australia congratulates the Carnival Group on its announcement to base two new ships in Australia year round bringing significant benefits to hotels and the wider tourism and hospitality sector.

TAA welcomes “sympathetic” budget and applauds Government’s State demand-driver infrastructure grants

Posted on 14 May 2014
TAA welcomes the Federal Government’s Budget commitment to Tourism Australia’s resources and the announcement of the new Tourism Demand Driver Infrastructure grants program.

TAA calls on Government to grow tourism marketing and reject Commission of Audit recommendation for cuts

Posted on 5 May 2014
TAA calls on the Government to reject the Commission of Audit recommendations and keep the path that they have commenced under Andrew Robb’s leadership. The tourism and hospitality sector has been consistently identified as one of Australia’s principal growth industries for the future and to adopt these cuts TAA considers as very short sighted.

Accommodation hoteliers will count the cost as penalty rates bite

Posted on 10 April 2014
The prospect of penalty rates of up to 275% is forcing Australia’s hoteliers to curtail services over the extended Easter/Anzac Day holiday period. According to TAA’s recent national survey, 67% of hoteliers surveyed indicated that they would be closing or reducing services due to crippling penalty rates.

Productivity Commission Review into Fair Work Act Conditions

Posted on 10 March 2014
Tourism Accommodation Australia says jobs will be lost unless greater workplace flexibility is introduced. Tourism Accommodation Australia’s Managing Director, Rodger Powell welcomed the review into Fair Work Act Conditions. “We are not about seeking to reduce wages, we want to see an increase in flexibility of working conditions so that both employers and employees can benefit”.

John O’Sullivan appointed as new MD of Tourism Australia

Posted on 29 January 2014
Tourism Accommodation Australia welcomes the appointment of John O’Sullivan as Tourism Australia’s Managing Director and looks forward to working closely with John and the Tourism Australia team to maximise the accommodation sector’s contribution to the economy.

Hotel Leaders build bridges across the Pacific

Posted on 22 October, 2013
American Hotel & Lodging Chairman, Mr Ron Vlasic acknowledged the many similarities shared by Australian and American hotel industries, while the the enthusiasm and passion for the tourism industry by so many Australian Hotel Managers will remain an enduring memory.

Regional Tourism needs urgent Government attention to deliver jobs and prosperity

Posted on 22 October, 2013
Australia’s regional tourism industry needs Government to address productivity and infrastructure development if it is to remain viable in the future.

TAA National Awards for Excellence applaud outstanding achievement in the hotel industry

Posted on 8 October, 2013
Australia’s leading accommodation hotels and outstanding employees were recognised at the Tourism Accommodation Australia 2013 National Awards for Excellence in Canberra.

TAA Welcomes new Government’s positive Tourism Policies

Posted on 9 September, 2013
Tourism Accommodation Australia welcomes new Government’s tourism policies and representation by Deputy Leader Julie Bishop in cabinet.

TAA and TTA bring Cornell Hotel School to Australia

Posted on 27 August, 2013
Tourism Accommodation Australia with Tourism Training Australia are delighted to offer TAA Members the opportunity to participate in Cornell’s Senior Executive Development Programs to be held in Australia in 2014.

Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific CEO appointed to Tourism Accommodation Board

Posted on 15 August, 2013
Tourism Accommodation Australia boots Vacation Ownership representation with appointment of Wyndham CEO and MD, Mr Barry Robinson to the Board.

Mantra Group joins Tourism Accommodation Australia

Posted on 12 August, 2013
Tourism Accommodation Australia welcomes one of Australia’s fastest growing hotel companies – the Mantra Group – to its membership and appoints CEO, Bob East, to the Board.

TAA voices major concern on Government’s 457 Visa approach

Posted on 19 June, 2013
Tourism Accommodation Australia has serious concerns about the Government’s plans to restrict the use of 457 skilled worker visas critical to the accommodation industry.

Coalition tip-toes in the right direction on IR

Posted on 10 May, 2013
Tourism Accommodation Australia welcomed the announcement of the Opposition’s IR reform policy ahead of the election and urges a timely review by the Productivity Commission to implement change now, not in 4 years post the election.

SilverNeedle CEO Iqbal Jumabhoy joins TAA Board

Posted on 4 April, 2013
Tourism Accommodation Australia welcomes SilverNeedle Hospitality MD & Group CEO Iqbal Jumabhoy as the newest member of its Board.

Carbon Tax will cost the accommodation industry almost $115m in the first year

Posted on 18 March, 2013
According to new ACEgroup research commissioned by TAA, the Carbon Tax will cost the accommodation industry almost $115m in the first year and reduce profitability by up to 12per cent. See attached Summary Report. Full AEC Report can be downloaded here.

TAA Chairman honoured with International Award

Posted on 14 March, 2013
TAA’s Chairman, Tony South has been awarded the Industry’s prestigious “Trailblazer Award” in recognition of his outstanding international accommodation industry career.

Tourism Australia launches Working Holiday Campaign

Posted on March 5, 2013
TAA welcomes Tourism Australia’s ‘Best Jobs in the World’ campaign

TAA brings leading Global Education program to Australasian hotels

Posted on February 6, 2013
Australian hotels will have access to the world’s leading managerial education program.

Accommodation Sector welcomes Sydney Convention Centre

Posted on December 12, 2012
TAA welcomes and supports Government’s announcement of ‘Destination Sydney’ consortium as the developer of Sydney’s new convention facility.

Hotels back push for Productivity Commission to look at PMC

Posted on October 18, 2012
TAA has thrown its support behind calls for the Productivity Commission to review Trans-Tasman travel arrangements, particularly the PMC.

Tourism delivers against the odds

Posted on October 10, 2012
The latest ABS figures showing an increase in overseas arrivals is a sign Tourism Australia’s brand strategy is on track.

Hilton Sydney checks in as top hotel

Posted on September 6, 2012
Media release on TAA’s national industry awards.

Hotels bank on Asia Marketing Fund

Posted on August 16, 2012

Energy costs to ‘zap’ tourist numbers

Posted on July 4, 2012
Almost three quarters of Australian hotels have either increased prices or are planning to do so as a result of the carbon tax.

Greens deal ‘slams door’ on hotel investment

Posted on June 28, 2012
TAA calls on the Greens to refer the MIT withholding tax increase to a Senate inquiry.

Hotels welcome tourism tax backdowns

Posted on June 20, 2012
TAA has applauded the scrapping of the planned doubling of tax on Managed Investment Trusts (MITs).

HostPlus Board appointments welcomed by accommodation sector

Posted on June 18, 2012
TAA has welcomed today’s appointment of senior accommodation industry figure David Gibson and former Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile AO to the Board of HostPlus Superannuation.

The Australian Hotels Association (AHA) and the Accommodation Association of Australia (AAoA) announced today that they had agreed to establish a joint venture between the two organisations to provide “one voice” for Australia’s accommodation industry.

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Martin Ferguson Interview with 2GB on the subject of the productivity commission review: