By Triana O'Keefe, editor Australian Hotelier
The Western Australian hospitality and tourism sector successfully overcame last year’s challenges posed by police and the public health lobby, says Australian Hotels Association (WA) CEO Bradley Woods.
Woods said significant investment in hotel and hospitality infrastructure, an expanding population, and progressive and well respected food, beverage and dining experiences were all key to hospitality and tourism being recognised as the sustainable future of Western Australia.
“Western Australia’s hospitality and tourism industry is charging ahead,” he said.
“Investment in the industry is unprecedented, providing new, innovative and unique hospitality experiences and accommodation that is further advancing Western Australia as an iconic tourist destination.
“Our abundance of natural attractions, fresh seasonal produce and entrepreneurial spark is enabling Western Australia to become a tourism powerhouse for the Australian economy and people are excited.
“Despite all of this, 2014 has been another challenging year as the industry continued to grapple with the backward and potentially damaging agendas of police and the public health lobby. Thankfully, government has put public interests and industry first after an ugly show of anti-tourism and hospitality lobbying from our adversaries.
“In 2015, as an association and an industry, we need to better engage our patrons so they understand that these unreasonable agendas, if embraced, will hurt their favourite hospitality venues.”
For Bradley Woods’ full article see the upcoming Leaders’ Forum edition of Australian Hotelier.