Last Friday's announcement that Australia and New Zealand will host the 2023 Women's World Cup may be a big win for Australia's accommodation sector but making to March next year remains the goal for many operators, the Accommodation Association of Australia says.

The sporting event is scheduled to take place between July 10 and August 10, 2023, across 12 cities, bringing thousands of visitors to the country and injecting millions of dollars into local economies.

But Accommodation Association of Australia CEO Dean Long told WILLIAMS MEDIA that while Australia's successful bid was a bright spot for an industry experiencing one of its worst periods in living memory, it did not change the reality of the immediate road ahead.

At a glance: 

• The Accommodation Association of Australia has coordinated a meeting between industry leaders and the Head of Federal Government’s National COVID-19 Co-ordination Commission, Nev Power.
• Topics included the role of JobKeeper and the necessity of ongoing tailored support until March 2021 to guide the sector through the recovery process.
• AAoA CEO Dean Long said he was satisfied with the progress made in the discussions.

"It's a light on the hill to aim for but we need to get to get to our first little light on the hill which is surviving until next March," he said.

"If Australia’s tourism sector is going to get back on its feet even domestically, we need our hotels, motels, caravan parks and accommodation.

"For that to happen, ongoing tailored Government support is critical.”

Mr Long was part of a group of industry leaders that met Head of Federal Government’s National COVID-19 Co-ordination Commission, Nev Power, last week.

Coordinated by Accommodation Australia, other guests included Matt Bekier, MD and CEO, The Star Entertainment Group; Julian Clark, CEO of The Lancemore Group; Leanne Harwood, MD for Australasia and Japan, IHG; Simon McGrath, COO, AccorHotels Pacific; Chris Sedgwick, COO, TFE; and Barry Robinson, President and MD International Operations, Wyndham.

Among the items on the agenda were the "critical" role of JobKeeper and the necessity of ongoing tailored support until at March 2021 to guide the sector through the recovery process, as well as the importance of additional measures to support the sector.

Overall, Mr Long said he was satisfied with the progress made during the discussions.

“This was an important opportunity to reinforce our advocacy," he said.

"Nev Power is co-ordinating the Federal Government’s response and Australia’s accommodation providers are grateful for the opportunity and look forward to continuing to work with Government and the Commission on mapping the best path forward.”

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