22 December 2004
Fewer choices, higher costs for entertainment
Be tolerant of public holiday surcharges this Christmas is the plea from Hospitality Association Chief Executive Bruce
Robertson as the holiday period arrives.
Government changes to the Holidays Act mean that this year hospitality businesses are liable for additional penal rates
on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and January 2, and also Monday and Tuesday 27 & 28 December, and Monday and Tuesday 3 & 4 January.
“Most consumers will face surcharges on all of these days with the hospitality industry having little option other than
passing on the additional costs or remain closed,” said Mr Robertson.
He expects that some businesses will have worked out the numbers and decided to stay shut.
“Regrettably, the result of the government’s changes to the Holidays Act means that consumers will have less choice of
where to eat and drink and when they do find bars, taverns and restaurants open they can expect to pay more,“ Mr
Robertson said.
ENDS