AUSTRALASIAN LEADERS
Graham Perry Managing Director, BWH Hotel Group Australasia
With government committing to regional infrastructure, developers are looking to invest in accommodation in rural Australia. AS BENJAMIN FRANKLIN said: “Out of adversity comes opportunity”. This was never so true when comparing the chaos of the pandemic with the opportunities presented. The hotel industry has reached a crossroads. Whilst many hoteliers have decided to throw in the towel, many more are looking to enter the industry or expand. The latter includes developers and investors looking to invest in Australia and leverage our reputation for safety and security. With international borders closed, many Australians have finally woken up to the unique destinations, regional towns, characters, and experiences that exist in our own backyard. I’m not just talking here about travellers, but government(s) who is now committing to regional infrastructure, and local government and communities who have woken up to the value of visitation and managing their unique destinations. This is facilitating interest from developers looking to invest in new accommodation that regional Australia is crying out for. This all bodes well for BWH Hotel Group, Australasia. Over many decades we have established an anchorage throughout Australia (including regional Australia) mainly in the midscale market with our trusted 75-yearold Best Western brand at the helm. This offers access to a branded distribution engine to drive exceptional hotel performance with BWH hotels outperforming their market class when measured against the REVPAR Index. However, BWH is poised to expand beyond the midscale at the very time regional areas are crying out for new and revitalised accommodation. BWH has 17 brands in Australia from SureStay at the economy through World Hotel Collection at the luxury scale. The launch of Aiden into the Australian market with Aiden, Darling Harbour, Sydney is a case in point. BWH offers solutions for developers/investors wanting to drive exceptional results from their hotel acquisitions and the ROI they demand. 62
HM The Business of Accommodation
Whilst the prospects for 2022 look positive, we mustn’t be blindsided. The revenue challenges of the last two years have hidden an equally challenging foe namely skills shortages. Not only have overseas workers been locked out but many Australians have left our industry for more secure jobs elsewhere – and they’re not coming back. Compounding this, many young Australian don’t view hospitality as a career option – but as a means to an end whilst they look for a “real” job. We must put the mojo back into the hotel industry as a career. But not all is doom and gloom for those who have come out of the pandemic stronger. Part of this strength is cultures where team members have learnt to adapt and work together in a place, they want to be with people they want to be with. Top performers have stayed, and all are going the extra mile and taking up the slack caused by the skills shortages. They are listened to and recognised and are rewarded for these efforts and appreciated. BWH has introduced a “Strengths” training program, allowing individuals to share their personal strengths. It exposes how team members tick and why they do what they do. It is far more productive and motivation for individuals to work on their strengths than to waste time on their weaknesses. Harold Samuel coined the phrase “location, location, location” as the three things that matter in property. For the hotel industry in 2022 the three things are “people, people people”. n
“Many Australians have finally woken up to the unique destinations, regional towns, characters, and experiences that exist in our own backyard.” Graham Perry, BWH Hotel Group Australasia
SNAPSHOT: BWH HOTEL GROUP Number of hotels and rooms (Globally): 4,005 hotels and 356,607 rooms Year first hotel opened (Globally): 1946 Year first hotel opened (Asia Pacific): 1993 Year first hotel opened (Australasia): 1975 Brands in the organisation: 18 Head office locations: Phoenix, Bangkok, Sydney Leisure travellers can enjoy the pool at Stamford Plaza Auckland Guests can take in the view from the lounge area at Best Western Plus Northlakes Hotel