Hoteliers fear the worst

THERE is cause for concern when the biggest operator of hotels in the Far North and Australia warns it may have to close properties if the borders don’t reopen soon.

Accor Pacific is worried that ongoing border uncertainty will impair Queensland’s ability to bounce back and recover.

Accor boss Simon McGrath says the current restrictions mean Queensland is about to miss out on the summer dollar.

He says it is about now that people begin to book their summer holidays to Queensland. They will go elsewhere if uncertain when state borders will open.

Mr McGrath predicts about 21,000 hotel rooms and apartments will be empty over summer and says some hotels may have to close for the first six months of 2021.

That will have a flow-on effect to other businesses.

The Far North will be hit hard. Accor runs 20 properties in the region. It has eight in Cairns, five at Palm Cove and seven at Port Douglas.

They range from the two Pullmans and the Mantra Trilogy in Cairns to the Peppers Beach Club and Spa Palm Cove, and Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort and Spa.

Accor joins Qantas in putting pressure on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and MPs to create a clear road map on border reopenings.

The airline says analysis shows significant pent-up demand from customers who wish to visit family and friends or to holiday in Queensland.

So far the Premier has allowed the border to reopen to parts of the northern region of NSW as well as the ACT.

But far more certainty is required.