Accommodation Association calls on Queensland election victor to open borders

THE Accommodation Association today stated it is vital that whichever party wins tomorrow’s election open the Queensland borders as quickly as possible. 
 
according to The Accommodation Association, Tourism Research Australia reported that travel from New South Wales (NSW) to Queensland is worth $4.4 billion each year and from Queensland to NSW $3.3 billion.

The Accommodation Association represents close to 3,500 hotels, with more than 150,000 rooms, and prior to COVID nearly 100,000 employees across Australia -- but this has fallen to about 58,000 at present. 

Prior to the closure of the international and state borders, the accommodation industry contributed $17 billion to the Australian economy each year.

Accommodation Association CEO Dean Long isaid, “The decision to close Queensland’s border to the whole of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory was disappointing given the limited number of cases.

"Tomorrow’s election provides an opportunity to set things right for QLD’s accommodation businesses. Both the Queensland and wider accommodation sector understand some of the health considerations that have governed political decision making to date, however, continued border restrictions will continue to lead to even more devastating job losses in the state’s tourism sector.

“It is absolutely critical that the new Premier of Queensland begins the process of opening the state’s borders. The Queensland Premier’s decisions also impact businesses in NSW and the ACT, therefore moving forward we ask to work closer together on a more collaborative and constructive approach," Mr Long said.

“Keeping Queensland’s borders closed is devastating hotels, motels and serviced apartment providers, and the symbiotic relationship they have with many tourism reliant communities and local economies.

“We urge the new Queensland Government to work closely with our member businesses so we can walk the line between protecting our people and protecting their jobs. We need to start making more democratic decisions to begin rebuilding consumer confidence in Queensland’s accommodation sector.”

www.aaoa.com.au

 

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