News roundup: 3 Hotel groups set trends in Australia and New Zealand, plus more stories

For PropertyGuru’s news roundup, three hotel groups are setting new trends shaping hotel investment and development in Australia and New Zealand. In more news, an NGO serving Hong Kong’s low-income residents has urged the government to delay the enforcement of a controversial waste charging scheme among disadvantaged tenants of “cage homes,” and the Philippines’ local government secretary urges the youth sector to contribute to the government’s environmental protection and conservation efforts.

3 Unique hotels setting new trends in an evolving market

As the tourism industry experiences a healthy recovery in growth, evolving consumer preferences are increasingly challenging the industry. At the annual Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific, Australia and New Zealand (HICAP ANZ) meeting held late in 2023, industry leaders convened to dissect the emerging trends shaping hotel investment and development in Australia and New Zealand. Three prominent trends emerged as key drivers in the industry, offering unique opportunities for hoteliers and investors looking to make a mark in the hotel space: experiential connection, technological innovation, and sustainability.

The Hotel Conversation showcases three hotel groups that stand out as examples of successfully adapting to these trends.

NGO urges delay in waste tax enforcement for disadvantaged tenants of ‘cage homes,’ unmanaged buildings

An NGO serving Hong Kong’s low-income residents has urged the government to delay the enforcement of a controversial waste charging scheme among disadvantaged tenants of “cage homes,” subdivided units, and those in “three-nil” buildings. “Three-nil” buildings are generally those which lack an owners’ company, residents’ organisation, or property management firm to manage the building.

HKFP reports that, alongside eight residents, the Society for Community Organisation (SoCO) went to the Legislative Council (LegCO) to lodge a complaint and spoke of residents’ concerns about the upcoming waste charging scheme.

According to SoCO, residents living in subdivided cubicles, “cage” homes, as well as those in “three-nil” budlings, find it difficult to reach recycling facilities, even if they want to reduce waste. They are also concerned that landlords might ask them to extra pay waste handling fees once the scheme come into effect. The group asked lawmakers to review the scheme.

Contribute to environmental protection efforts, DILG chief urges Philippine youth

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. called on Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials and the youth sector to contribute to the Philippine government’s environmental protection and conservation efforts.

Abalos, in a news release to PNA, said the youth could help in environmental preservation efforts through tree planting and reforestation, advocating for stricter enforcement of environmental laws and the implementation of the 4Rs – Refuse, Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle.

“Ang importante, andito ang magdadala ng adbokasiyang ito (on environmental sustainability), ang ating mga kabataan (What is important is those who would push for this advocacy are here, the youth). We collaborate, importante ito (this is important). The government cannot do it alone; it’s being proactive,” he said during the 6th National Youth Environmental Summit in Baguio City on 22nd April.

The Property Report editors wrote this article. For more information, email: [email protected].