22 August, 2024

Accor signs onto new restaurant & café association as founding partner

Edited by Travel Weekly

Accor has joined the newly created Australian Restaurant and Café Association (ARCA) as the founding hotel partner.

ARCA was established to respond to the economic challenges facing the local hospitality industry, providing a voice and action on behalf of an industry that numbers some 54,000 venues, employs over 450,000 people, and contributes up to $64 billion to the Australian economy.

Industry icons like Neil Perry AM and Chris Lucas have been the driving force for ARCA, Wes Lambert is the first CEO of the organisation.

“As the hospitality industry faces unprecedented challenges, ARCA is dedicated to providing a strong, unified voice to advocate for the support and reforms needed to sustain and grow this vital sector,” Webster said.

“We are thrilled to have Accor, a leader in the industry, join us as a Founding Hotel Partner. Together, we can drive meaningful change that will not only help businesses survive these tough times but thrive in the future.”

ARCO is already advocating to influence all levels of government in areas including taxation, skilled worker shortages, wages, rents, dining restrictions, and inflation.

The development of the association follows figures released recently by Australian credit reporting firm, CreditorWatch, which predicted that one in every 11 Australian hospitality businesses could fail in the next 12 months as the cost-of-living crisis worsens.

Accor is not only the largest hotel operator in Australia, but it also operates more than 223 cafes and restaurants and 167 bars in its network of 350+ hotels, resorts and apartments across the country.

“The current situation of rising costs and restrictions on discretionary spending is impacting hospitality venues across the industry, from five-star signature restaurants to cafes, and from capital cities to regional areas,” Accor Pacific COO Adrian Williams said.

“Hospitality is a key component of what hotels offer, and while operating is more challenging at the moment, we are focused on adapting and evolving to continue delivering exceptional experiences for our guests.

“We remain committed to offering our guests memorable dining at reasonable prices, and although costs have increased significantly in recent years, our focus is on innovation and efficiency to maintain the high standards our guests expect.”

Accor Pacific director of food & beverage, Ben Creek, said it was important to partner with ARCA to provide a united voice on the issue.

“We look forward to working with other ARCA members to collaborate and advance the hospitality community as a whole,” he said.

Times are challenging but we are excited about what we can collectively achieve to build a great future for the industry. Hospitality has always been about care, generosity and supporting the community, and ARCA is a platform for us to come together and support all businesses from local cafes to CBD restaurants.”

The news follows Swillhouse CEO Anton Forte stepping down from the board of the Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association, following a report in The Sydney Morning Herald alleging a culture of drug use and sexual assault at some of its Sydney bars and restaurants.

On Wednesday, the Herald reported accusations of “pushing female staff” out of the company after they reported allegations of sexual assault and harassment across venues, including Restuarant Hubert, Le Foote, Baxter Inn and Caterpillar Club.

Following the publication, Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association chair Neil Perry confirmed Forte had been stood down until the allegations could be “thoroughly investigated”.

“There are some serious allegations,” he told the publication.

Advertise with us

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

accor Adrian Williams Australian Restaurant and Café Association Ben Creek Wes Lambert