Ramada Hervey Bay
The new Ramada resort in Hervey Bay opens for business on Tuesday and as late as Sunday morning people were still working hard to finish the building.
The choice of the person to be the face of the new resort is sure to raise some eyebrows among locals who have been in Hervey Bay for more than a couple of years and it certainly didn’t impress one neighbor who had this sign on a driveway next to the new resort “Bugger off girlie the driveway isn’t yours.”
Will we see Ramada go the same way as Peppers Pier Resort? Only time will tell.
September 20th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Not knowing the “politics” of hervey bay well enough to comment, I can only hope that the Ramada does well.
I’m a hotelier (all be it chef) working globally in luxury 5 star hotels, with an interest in Hervey Bay (have a holiday house there for family and plan on making it my home in the near future).
The product seems to be nice enough and adds a spark to Hervey Bay.
I say best of Luck to the Ramada and I will be popping in to have a look next trip back!
Mick McCalman
September 21st, 2009 at 6:06 am
Mick – I’m certainly with you on the issue of wishing Ramada the best of luck but the tourism industry in Hervey Bay is really feeling the effects of the global economic crisis AND a lot of increased competition from other parts of Australia.
Some recently released figures suggested that tourism to this part of the world was booming but those figures are not supported by anyone that you might talk to at the grass roots level of the tourism industry here in Hervey Bay.
Perhaps the eco-tourism packages that Ramada are talking about offering may really work for them … and I hope it does … but the reality is that whatever they offer, it’s going to be tough going for them.
Stuart
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Agree Stuart, globally it’s tough, but I guess those who put the roots down now and can ride it out will be better off than those who have suspended builds etc.
Grass roots you say, I would suggest looking at how everyone was doing 10 years back, and more importantly, what they owed to financers, thats where the underlying issues have been in say Dubai and to an extent everywhere else!
Myself, I’ve just been made redundant, so will see you all in Hervey bay in a month or so I guess!!!! Taking some extended leave, payed however luckily!
September 26th, 2009 at 9:15 am
All Ramada’s are presented very well throught Australia and this will be no differant. However check out the website for the overload of spin, the comment on 80% occupancy should give a big laugh to many other Resorts in town. Mantra owners will be watching very carefully, the rates charged on this complex, Dual Key and Tri Key usually means double and triple the rates.
October 6th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
There is much to be hopeful about in terms of tourism in Hervey Bay. I remember vividly the pain and effects felt here locally during the World Expo and the “recession we had to have” between 1988 to 1990. There is a stronger resolve and better business heads leading the way now – with less “sales by morgagee in possession” and less shopfront vacancies than the last downturn. Hervey Bay is better positioned and more diverse this time and has weathered the storm.
Reality and statistics never lie – average occupancy for accommodation in Hervey Bay is still 46% average occupancy due to high supply of product in the past 5 years and no real increase in new visitors – just many repeat visitors enjoying more choice. Therefore it will take years for Ramada to obtain their market share and own repeat clientel. Loss leaders only work for a small period of time – ask Peppers unit owners and management how to continue to sell 5 star resort at 3 star tariffs and the results speak for themselves. Then add in the increases in council rates, electricity charge increases and application of Council policy in terms of dual key/dual occupancy rates payments – and the Ramada management has a lot of work ahead of them to generate returns for their willing investors to Stage 1.
Check out the Fraser Coast Chronicle today (06/10/09) and see the wisdom in chasing 90% occupancy by offering 5 star accommodation at 3 star rates. Is the Quarterdecks for sale? What is the manager’s motivation in such a story? I guess the local tourism awards will answer this question soon enough.
Hervey Bay is a great holiday and lifestyle destination – but it is what is is! A seaside holiday city experiencing rapid growth with no real leadership as how to balance the sustainability of the environment and economic development.
We will watch, monitor and wait as we yearn better times ahead. I am certain Hervey Bay will fulfil its potential – one day!
December 30th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
I was the Project Manager for the Ramada Site. i think we created a building very Unique in itself. The entance is spectactually, which only reflects the appearance of the rest of the Building. From a good source i know the Ramada is trading near at maximum at the moment. Probably a good reason is the food, the chef and the setup of the Kitchen. Over all the resort has so much to offer, including a 42 metre up the centre of the entire resort. Almost every room can soo the pool. The pool even looks more glamirous at night. My thanks to all contractors involved in the project.
February 25th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
I have now heard from four local business that haven’t been paid by Ramada for over 6 months – the latest just this morning.
Seems the Ramada is just one of many companies with the same set of directors – the finance company is OzzyConnect who financed a company called Affinity who built the Ramada Hervey Bay – all the same people and none of them have been paying the bills.
How is it that they can fly in here, ignore the local businesses that have helped them get off the ground and then expect assitance from the community?
April 9th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Your right BG, it does not appear that Ozzyconnect or whatever companies are incorporated under this umbrella are interested in putting back into the Hervey Bay community. “The face” seems to be a little infamous in that all you ever read about her is her drunk driving 3 times, bankruptcy due to not paying bills owed to an architect on a development on the Gold Coast she was a property developer of and of course, the sex video you can buy for $1 on youtube. No doubt all are trying to cash in on the name of her famous sister Elle McPherson, once again. Great advert for Hervey Bay – not!! All hype and no returns to the community. Shame, shame, shame.
January 7th, 2011 at 6:52 am
hi mick mcCalman, my long lost friend!