Resident accommodation managers who provide holiday accommodation in Queensland are concerned that their holiday guests have been excluded from the Federal Government holidaymakers grant as was reported in today's Australian newspaper.

According to Mr John Anderson, State Secretary of the Queensland Resident Accommodation Manager’s Association Inc., thousands of tourists book their holiday accommodation and holiday visits directly with a resident accommodation manager in the resort and building of their choice.

“These accommodation managers can provide complete holiday packages, including theme park tickets, car rental, tours and attractions,” Mr Anderson said.

“All managers are licensed and operate trust accounts, and are the backbone of tourist accommodation delivery, yet appear to have been excluded from facilitating this Government initiative,” he said.

Mr Anderson said that the Government appears to be supporting travel agents and wholesalers who take 25% to 30% of the holiday costs without protecting the guests funds, as the Ansett collapse has so sadly illustrated, while it ignores the small operator who is required by legislation to provide a higher level of protection of holiday makers’ funds.

“Our members want to know why a select group of licensed industry agents appear to have been singled out, when a significant number of holidaymakers who make direct bookings with their accommodation managers appear to be excluded from the holiday bonus,” Mr Anderson said.

“We think the initiative is progressive but we are concerned that it is not helping the full range of holidaymakers and it is discouraging the holidaymaker who books holidays with the manager of their choice,” he said.  

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

John Anderson  Phone:  07 5448 8739

Peter McCall  Phone:            07 3257 3927