Accomnews

The best of New South Wales’ accommodation sector was celebrated at the 2026 Accommodation Australia NSW Awards for Excellence, with properties, hospitality venues and industry professionals recognised for outstanding service, innovation and leadership.

Stuart Lamont and the CIAA team | Image: TBH Media The industry is still navigating rising costs, changing traveller behaviour and global uncertainty, but if there was one message Stuart Lamont, CEO of Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CIAA) wanted delegates to leave with, it was that uncertainty shouldn’t stop operators looking for opportunities. The latest print edition of AccomNews is out now.

I don’t think we should let the milestone pass without reflecting on the resilience and strength of Australia’s accommodation sector. James Goodwin, CEO Accommodation Australia Despite ongoing economic pressures, global instability, workforce challenges and changing market conditions, our industry continues to adapt, innovate and deliver great experiences for guests.

The way travellers search is changing fast. Instead of scrolling through pages of results, more people are asking AI-powered tools direct questions and getting direct answers. For guests with disability, older travellers and their companions, those questions are highly specific: Does the room have step-free access? Is there space beside the bed for a hoist or wheelchair? Is the shower roll-in? This is the challenge for accommodation operators.

Image: Adobe stock by amazing studio But as we move through 2026, it is increasingly clear the challenge ahead is changing. The focus can no longer be on recovery alone; it must now be on resilience. Recent ATEC member feedback confirms international interest in Australia remains strong across our major source markets, including China, India, Southeast Asia, the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States. But global events have reinforced an important lesson—demand alone is not enough.

Image by Dee karen on Adobe Stock Making life harder for mum and dad operators of family motels and hotels would not seem to be the way to go for a government looking to be more popular with cynical voters. Stephen Ferguson, AHA Dr Jim Chalmers may have described his fifth budget as the “most important and ambitious budget in decades”, but many have been left scratching their heads over tax changes that no one saw coming, and few understand.

Image supplied by LiveStay group The announcement was made by LiveStay CEO, Zed Sanjana, at the future site of Punthill Bundoora, where he was joined by City of Whittlesea Mayor, Councillor Lawrie Cox, and Deputy Mayor Blair Colwell, for a ground-breaking ceremony to commemorate the start of construction. The latest print edition of AccomNews is out now.

Image supplied by Holiday Inn & Suites Sunshine Coast Building on the success of the property since its initial opening in 2022, the refreshed hotel delivers an enhanced coastal getaway experience with a raft of new family-focused features including Holiday Inn’s globally-popular Kids Stay & Eat Free program, a dedicated kids’ menu, and a relaxed guest lounge with TV and boardgames. The latest print edition of AccomNews is out now.

Project Sunrise first flight: Image courtesy of Qantas When Qantas announced Project Sunrise, most people focused on the planes themselves. I saw it differently. For me, it showed that travellers are happy to pay extra if it makes their journey easier. They are not spending more because they like being on a plane for 20 hours. They want to skip the hassle of stopovers, missed connections, long layovers and all the uncertainty that comes with them. They are paying to make things easier.

The Madison Tower Mill Hotel in Brisbane CBD The Madison Tower Mill Hotel in Brisbane CBD has been sold following a competitive national campaign that attracted strong interest from local and international investors. Specialist brokerage HTL Property managed the sale of the 70-room hotel on behalf of Madison Hotel Group, with the campaign led by National Director Andrew Jackson alongside Directors Nic Simarro and Glenn Price. The latest print edition of AccomNews is out now.