QHA-Review_August_Digital

At the opening of The Brook Hotel, Brookside in Brisbane
SEASONALITY RETURNS
NOTHING BEATS
SEEING HOW
VENUES ARE
OPERATING OR
HOW HOTEL
PROPERTIES ARE
FULFILLING GUESTS
EXPECTATIONS.
Over the last month, QHA have criss-crossed the state attending to members, offering
advice, delivering our programs and attending all manner of meetings and events. It
is always a pleasure getting out to see our members first-hand, as this way, we truly
get to experience how the industry is faring. Nothing beats seeing how venues are
operating or how hotel properties are fulfilling guests expectations.
From Emerald, to Rockhampton, Townsville, Cairns, Toowoomba and Gold Coast
we have discussed trading conditions with new and old members alike. The one
overwhelming piece of advice is that although conditions are still alright, there is a
tightening in the market. What has become very evident is that the ‘revenge spending’
of the previous two years is drying up and seasonality has returned to the hospitality
and tourism industry.
We started to see this in February, with the rises and falls in the market reminiscent of
the years prior to the pandemic. As cost-of-living pressures begin to mount and the last
of airline credits have been used by Australians flying overseas in the school holidays,
we expect that this will become more evident.
QHA firmly believes that the calendar year of 2023 will finish strong, however we will
need to rely on the experience of the old hands in the industry. How we promote
our services, attract regular patronage, train newcomers and provide value to our
customers will all signal the success of our industry in the next few years.
In tough times (and I don’t believe we are quite there yet), hotels often excel. There
is a simple reason for this. Hotels are the centre of their community. Good hotels
understand their communities and provide good value-for-money entertainment for all.
Rising costs make this difficult for members, however we are, as ever, here to assist,
drive bargains for members where we can and help the entire industry prosper.
We look forward to seeing you all again soon.
BERNIE HOGAN
QHA CHIEF EXECUTIVE/EDITOR
QHA REVIEW | 3