Historic hotels and venues to be honoured

Canberra’s hotels, restaurants and licensed venues will be honoured as the sector celebrates ‘100 years of Hospitality in Canberra’ at the annual Australian Hotels Association (AHA) ACT Branch Hospitality Awards next month.

To celebrate the Centenary of Canberra, more than 400 industry leaders, sponsors and local identities will embrace the theme “100 Years of Hospitality” and enjoy a trip down memory lane to attend the 2013 AHA ACT Hospitality Awards on April 22 at Hotel Realm.

AHA ACT Branch General Manager Brad Watts said several landmark hotels will be remembered and honoured during the event including the Hyatt Hotel Canberra, Mercure Canberra (formerly Olims Hotel), Hotel Kurrajong and Brassey of Canberra Hotel.  (Old photographs available – see below)

“These historic hotels epitomise Canberra in the early days and date back more than 85 years – the event will certainly pay tribute to their rich history and culture as part of Canberra’s exciting Centenary celebrations,” Mr Watts said.

“Hotels were some of the earliest buildings in Canberra so it’s only fitting that these accommodation landmarks – and other venues – are celebrated by the entire industry at the prestigious annual awards night.

“Manuka and Kingston also have several famous restaurants and cafes, including Caphs Café, Bar and Restaurant – a heritage-listed building that is the only restaurant which has continued trading  in Canberra since 1926.”

Mr Watts said many hotels and licensed venues have entered the 2013 Hospitality Awards which have attracted a strong number of entries across more than 30 categories.

“The ACT’s hospitality sector plays a vital role in the economy by employing more than 6,000 people and contributing more than $200 million annually to the ACT through payment of local taxes and levies, purchase of utilities, payment of wages and salaries and purchasing goods from local suppliers,” Mr Watts said.

AHA ACT is encouraging everyone involved in the sector to embrace this historical event and come along and celebrate on April 22.

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Source: Australian Hotels Association, ACT, 21 March 2013