Accommodation sector disappointed with swine flu beat up and urges Victorians to holiday at home
Steve Finlayson, Chair of the Hotel, Motel and Accommodation Association (HMAA) Vic Division and Kelly McCarthy, Acting Chair of the Backpacker Operators Alliance of Victoria (BOAV) have called on Victorians to support the local accommodation industry and plan a holiday in their home state during the June/July 09 semester break.
“Tourism and accommodation services are vital industries for Victoria as they are labour-intensive and create employment opportunities, particularly in regional Victoria,” says Mr Finlayson.
“However, the industry has been unfairly buffeted by the irresponsible and unfounded hysteria about the number of swine flu infections in Victoria, particularly as less than 0.1 per cent of Victoria’s population have been diagnosed with swine flu.
“Interstate and international travel warnings have resulted in some accommodation businesses facing cancellations and a decline in bookings through no fault of their own,” says Mr Finlayson.
Mr Finlayson and Ms McCarthy also remind those in the accommodation sector about their obligations and rights in light of customer cancellations due to events such as the Swimming Australia Grand Prix event in Melbourne.
“With cancellations of events that are beyond the control of those in the industry, it is important for everyone in the accommodation sector to be aware of their legal rights and responsibilities in relation to the cancellation of bookings,” says Ms McCarthy.
“It is essential that Victorians support the accommodation and tourism industries, which are the lifeblood of many communities and a considerable source of employment,” says Mr Finlayson.
With $8 billion of annual leave currently stockpiled by Victorian employees, Victorian should have no problem in taking a break with their children and discovering the range of fantastic tourist experiences Victoria has to offer as well as the range of accommodation options from five-star hotels to caravan parks and everything in between.
Implementing appropriate measures such as Tourism Australia’s No Leave, No Life program to develop a positive leave culture will benefit the wellbeing of business in the immediate and longer term, building resilience in the current tough times and ensuring that advantage of the recovery can be taken when it arrives.
Victorian employees have currently racked up nearly 30 million days of annual leave. Seventy three percent of the employees possessing these mountains of leave say work/balance is important in their lifes of Victorian employees who stockpile leave who engage in this beh aviour cite work/life balance as being important in their lives
and that taking annual leave
“The Victorian accommodation sector has had a rough start to the year with an international perception that Victoria is not safe to travel to because of the February bushfires and swine flu warnings. The truth is that Victoria is a fantastic place to visit, and now is an ideal time for visitors to enjoy the tourism experiences Victoria has to offer,” says Ms McCarthy.
HMAA is recognised as the leading industry body in the accommodation sector within Australia. HMAA represents accommodation based establishments ranging from 5 star hotels and motels to Bed and Breakfasts adding up to a membership base of more than 2,000 properties in Australia.
BOAV is recognised as the leading industry body in the backpacker accommodation sector within Victoria. BOAV represents backpacker accommodation businesses and suppliers to Australia’s inbound and domestic backpacker market.
For further information, please contact: Megan Cox (0423) 883 945