Australia’s mining sector holds great potential for hotel firms but it also creates a number of challenges, according to the boss of Thailand-based hospitality firm Minor International.
Chief executive Dilip Rajakarier described resources areas across the country as “niche key markets” which were as yet untapped. But he identified recruitment of staff as a key obstacle in those regions.
“To find trained staff in Australia, especially in some of the mining areas, is the major challenge,” he told Travel Today.
The cost of entry and the cost of operation were also deterrents, he said, with salaries particularly high.
“If the dollar starts to weaken a little, that will make a big difference,” he said.
However, he was overall very optimistic about the Australian market, with the firm’s Oaks brand continuing to grow, and the introduction of its Anantara and Avani brands imminent.
“As a global player, there a lot of opportunities, both into Australia and to attract tourism out of Australia,” he said.
He anticipated “huge investment” would come from India and China and said the firm would attempt to capitalise on growth from those markets.
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