Accommodation Association slams government for cancelling Schoolies without consultation

Accommodation Association slams government for cancelling Schoolies without consultation
By Alexandra Coulton


Australia’s peak accommodation industry body has slammed the government for cancelling schoolies without consulting industry figures.

The Accommodation Association has issued a plea for government at all levels to consult with industry before imposing border closures and travel restrictions.

The plea is in response to the Queensland government’s announcement on Friday that Schoolies would not be going ahead this year.

“The pandemic means we cannot have mass gatherings,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

“Parents need to know their children’s safety comes first. We do not want them contracting or spreading COVID-19.”

Dean Long, CEO of the Accommodation Association, said it was critical to get the balance right between protecting lives and protecting jobs.

“Our ask is a simple one: dear government, can we please have some consultation?” Long said.

Long is calling for all levels of government to release their decision-making framework so the industry can better prepare and protect the accommodation sector.

“We need to be consulted especially on decisions with long lead times such as the Schoolies decision in Queensland so that the decisions governments are making incorporate the reality of businesses’ operational needs,” he said.

“Of course, the immediate priority of government is keeping people safe and protecting lives. We get that, but we do need a far more practical and collaborative approach when it comes to the decision-making that impacts businesses, business owners and the people we employ.

“We need to be working far more closely together to better plan for and manage future events and mass gatherings that drive overnight stays, and the solution is a taskforce.”

Palaszczuk said school-leavers should still celebrate their achievements and take advantage of being able to travel throughout the state.

“Schoolies Week doesn’t have to be just one week,” the Premier said.

“We are good to go across Queensland to some of the most beautiful places in the world right here in our own backyard.”

Last week, the Accommodation Association reprimanded the government for its lack of transparency around Travelodge’s removal from NSW’s mandatory quarantine program.

The hotel, located in Surry Hills, was the first hotel to be taken off the NSW government’s list of hotels used to house returning travellers for their mandatory two-week quarantine after multiple customer complaints.

The association said in a statement that there have been no safety breaches that the hotel was notified of and that it was not given the opportunity to remedy the issues behind the guest complaints.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Accommodation Association deal long hotels Schoolies

Latest News

  • Aviation

Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash

It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]

  • Attractions

SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024

AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]

  • Cruise

Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales

Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]

  • Technology
  • Travel Agents

Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy

Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]