Accommodation Australia (Vic)

Victoria's renowned major events calendar generates in excess of $3.3b of economic value to our state, each year. Despite race day rain, this year's Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix four-day event generated bumper occupancies for Melbourne city hotels. STR reporting occupancies of 91% (+3% vs. 2024), 94% (+3%) and 90% (+8%) across the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the event. Impressive stats, given 2024 generated record crowd attendances, likely to again be surpassed in 2025. A number of city hotels showcased Grand Prix-related activations, to enable their guests to fully immerse themselves in this marquee motor racing occasion. These included Pan Pacific Melbourne - the hotel's lobby transformed with the addtion of an F1 safety car. While event delivery costs are an important consideration, the prominent profile our city and state recieves, with a global audience in the tens of millions, really is 'money can't buy' exposure, that encourages future visitation, down under. Related coverage, per link below, as hotelier Carl Forrest and Accommodation Australia (Vic) General Manager, Dougal Hollis speak with 7NEWS Australia about the event's positive impact. https://lnkd.in/gJwjWHcs #majorevents #hospitality #tourism #melbourne #victoria Victorian Government Australian Grand Prix Corporation Visit Victoria Accommodation Australia AHA (Vic)

In the lead up to International Women's Day this Saturday (8th March) AHA (Vic) and Accommodation Australia (Vic) members had a wonderful opportunity today to hear the thoughts of a highly experienced and insightful leader, Victoria Racing Club CEO, Kylie Rogers. Kylie spoke of her recent transition into her VRC role, while respecting tradition, activating changes at the right pace, that builds trust with key stakeholders. She reinforced her guiding value set that shapes her leadership approach - maintaining positivity and optimism through a positive mental attitude; 'Tis by deeds, not by words; authenticity always, and the power of learning through failure. A key 'takeaway,' Kylie's observation: "Do the things that are hard, that's when you learn, grow and feel alive!" Thanks to all our AA (Vic) members who joined us for this special informative event. AA (Vic) General Manager Dougal Hollis pictured here with Dennise Loyo (Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne) Raska Na, Laura Brookes and Nereda Watson (Sheraton Melbourne Hotel). Kudos to AHA (Vic) General Manager Kimberley Malcolm, for her interviewing expertise and event emcee extraordinaire, AA(Vic) Member Services Executive, Alysa Witmitz. #IWD #hotels #melbourne #victoria #WomenInHotels

Australia’s tallest tower set to fall short.   The bid to build Australia’s tallest building ‘STH BNK by Beulah’ in Southbank, Melbourne has hit a major setback, as the project manager of the $2b development is placed into administration.   Now in further doubt, the 302 room Four Seasons hotel, may not go ahead. The dual tower development, estimated to be 365m and 295m in height, was set to boast the world’s highest vertical garden, a conference and entertainment centre, health and wellness precinct of more than 100 shops. With 80 per cent of the 700+ residential apartments already sold off-the-plan and early works scheduled to commence later this year, Beulah stated that construction cost estimates had nearly doubled since the project started and the decision to put the project manager into administration would buy time to try and secure further financing. The move to call in administrators by Malaysian-backed Beulah International came after architecture firms Cox Architecture and UN Studio, the designers of STH BNK, lodged a winding-up order against BSSPV, the company responsible for managing the project, for unpaid debt.   Beulah is the latest high-profile property developer to run into trouble, after Melbourne-based property giant Bensons Property Group collapsed in December with more than 1000 homes under construction worth about $1.5bn, owing creditors upwards of $800m. #melbourne #hotels #hoteldevelopment #melbournehotels #fourseasonshotels

Always an informative way to commence our series of 2025 events, the Accommodation Australia (Vic) Hotel Market and Economic Outlook provided hoteliers with a wealth of information to assist them with their budgets and forecasts. Adam Donaldson from Commonwealth Bank gave an assessment of Australia's macro economic conditions, key economic indicators and world geo-political pressures. Adele Labine-Romain from Roy Morgan, affectionately coined "the data nerd," didn't disappoint - providing a comprehensive analysis of Australia's tourism sector's performance, consumer travel trends and implications for the accommodation hotels. While Jacqueline Choo outlined all trends and stats STR are renowned for, including key hotel performance indicators for Melbourne, regional Victoria and Australia. An exciting development and annoucement from Michael Heyward detailed the formation of a new company, Emekeli Research. Michael and Yona Heyward have been working with AA (Vic) and our members, to establish benchmarks to measure key performance metrics in hotel meeting and event spaces, in the same way occupancy, ADR and RevPAR do for accommodation rooms. Sincere thanks to our hosts Crowne Plaza Melbourne, General Manager Erkin Aytekin, and the sales and event team Melissa Farkas and Arianna Garzia for a seamlessly executed event. We can attest the #rockyroad at morning tea was 'worth the price of admission!' Thanks also, to our Accommodation Australia National CEO, James Goodwin, who travelled from Canberra to join us. #benchmarking #hotels #performance #measure #manage #melbourne #victoria

Touchdown: MCG set to host NFL games in Victoria in Australian first      Accommodation Australia has welcomed news the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground will host National Football League (NFL) regular season games from 2026, following confirmation of a multi-year deal signed between the NFL and Victorian Government – an Australian first. Accommodation Australia (Vic) Australia (Victoria) General Manager, Dougal Hollis reflects Melbourne continues to reinforce its envied reputation as a world-leading major events city. Record crowds welcomed to the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix, Boxing Day Test and Australian Open Grand Slam event only serving to enhance this reputation further.   “A long history of successful major event delivery undoubtedly gives the National Football League (NFL) requisite confidence that hosting NFL fixtures in Melbourne will score a ‘touchdown’ with local and international football fans alike. Mr Hollis said “NFL is incredibly popular in Australia, the sport reportedly boasting 6.6m fans across the country. Television audiences in the United States are also significant, averaging 21m fans across the opening week of the 2024 season. Increased exposure to North American markets encourages greater potential for US-based NFL fans to travel to Melbourne, from an important in-bound travel market currently worth $350m annually to Victoria.”     Accommodation Australia (Victoria) Advisory Group Chair, Peter Minatsis notes a strong correlation between increased hotel occupancies and major event timing typically exists. “Most NFL games are played on Sunday afternoons, or Monday evenings in the United States. Assuming Melbourne’s hosted NFL games follow a similar pattern, this scheduling would prove a welcome boost to early-week hotel occupancies across Melbourne city. Mr Minatsis said “Melbourne is one of few global cities where world class sporting and cultural precincts are within easy walking distance of the CBD. This compact diversity adds a real carnival atmosphere during major event periods and is impossible for most other cities to replicate.”   Recent confirmation of three new direct Delta Air Lines flights from Los Angeles to Melbourne (commencing December 2025) adds timely capacity to these routes, with 1,200 non-stop flights between Melbourne and the United States each year now carrying 435,000 passengers. #majorevents #melbourne #victoria #MCG Visit Victoria; Victorian Government; Steve Dimopoulos; Andrew Penn; Brendan McClements; Kelly Dickson; Jarran Heywood; Dylan Steed

Join some of our industry's finest analytical minds as they provide in-depth insights into current hotel market and economic trends. These valuable observations are designed to assist members in perparing their hotel budgets and forecasts with increased confidence. These leading industry experts will share their perspectives on evolving macro economic and hotel market dynamics. Don't delay, secure your spot today by clicking on the registration link below. https://lnkd.in/gf2SuiaZ #macroeconomy #trends #insights #hotels #victoria

AHA (Vic) and Accommodation Australia (Vic), in collaboration with DXC providing claims management services, invite you to a complimentary workshop for members happening on 11th February. Want to learn how to can prevent claims by improving staff well-being and support at your venues? Join us in this interactive session where we will cover topics ranging from Conflict Resolution Training, Physiotherapy, Claims Management Solutions and more! This free session for members will be filled with value adding insights and advice, so register here before time passes: https://lnkd.in/dJaq_aNM Mike Barouche Gerard Farfoud

We’re thrilled to invite you to the 2025 Women in Hotels Brunch, proudly presented by Women in Hotels, AHA (Vic), and Accommodation Australia (Vic). 🥂 Enjoy a plated breakfast, mimosa on arrival, coffee cart, gift bags, door prizes, and networking with other industry professionals. 🎤 Join us for "In Conversation with Victoria Racing Club CEO, Kylie Rogers". With over 24 years of experience in the media industry and a remarkable career including her role as Executive General Manager Customer and Commercial at the AFL, Kylie will share insights from her inspiring journey in the industry. We encourage members of all genders, abilities, races, and cultures to join us on the day and make it part of your International Women’s Day celebrations. Book here: https://lnkd.in/dpRizdZ4

Local hotel industry welcomes Australian Open visitor influx to Melbourne. AccomNews report Accommodation Australia (Vic) has welcomed Tennis Australia projections of record fan attendances at #AO2025, that are set to drive an increase up to 10 per cent in Melbourne city hotel room bookings, across main tournament days. AA (Vic) General Manager Dougal Hollis said "Although the entire city is benefiting, CBD hotels proximate to the Melbourne Park precinct are typically forecasting to be busier than those further away. The AO middle weekend (18-19 January) is currently exhibiting the strongest occupancy forecasts in the mid-high 80 per cent range, significantly ahead of 2024 levels (early-mid 70 per cent range). Newly appointed AA (Vic) Advisory Group Chair, Peter Minatsis notes Melbourne's luxury hotel market is expected to perform well across the tournament. “Strong demand is apparent from the North American market, with hotel suite bookings popular. This is perhaps unsurprising, given current favourable exchange rates, when comparing the value of the Australian dollar to the United States dollar. “Many hoteliers have also developed AO-themed activations within their properties, to enable guests to continue their event experience pre-and-post travelling to Melbourne Park.” Conversely, Melbourne occupancies across February 2025 are currently tracking seven per cent down on 2024 levels, appreciating this period last year coincided with hugely popular Taylor Swift and Pink music concerts. #majorevents #demanddrivers #tennis #hotels #hospitality #melbourne Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g84aCpJS Accommodation Australia

The importance of the rapidly emerging Indian business and leisure travel market to Victoria's visitor economy can't be understated. Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos reflects that "Victoria is currently the top state in Australia for visitation and expenditure from India," now welcoming over 187,000 Indian visitors annually, who spend $480m in our state (Victoria's second largest market for international visitor spend). A unique and special opportunity last night for Accommodation Australia (Vic) to join other sector stakeholders, as Visit Victoria and the Melbourne Convention Bureau hosted over 30 Indian tourism and business leaders for dinner in the Long Room at Melbourne's iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (where else?) Given our countries shared love of cricket and MasterChef, guests were entertained by former Australian cricketing superstar, Damien Fleming and well known food critic, writer and journalist, Matt Preston who spoke about all things cricket and the breadth and diversity of Victoria's tourism offer. These VIP Indian guests are currently enjoying a week long visit to our state, enabling them to experience and enjoy the many and varied tourist attractions Victoria has to offer. #india #melbourne #victoria #visitoreconomy #sportingcapital #mcg