Tourism
Issue No. 62 - December/January 2011
New attractions evolve with Arkaba
South Australian hospitality entrepreneurs Jenny and Peter Hurley recently celebrated 20 years of management and ownership of the Arkaba Hotel.
Today the Arkaba Hotel , a landmark property at Glen Osmond and Fullarton roads, is one of eight establishments in the Hurley Group. Newly redeveloped, with a new alfresco dining area, the Arkaba’s key offerings are evolving steadily as management shapes the business to attract the ‘elusive customer’.
Hurley Hotel Group GM, Sam McInnes says accommodation, bars, meals, off premise liquor sales and gaming machines are the hotel’s core business focus.
“The Arkaba Hotel has a steady occupancy when it comes to accommodation, however we have had to review how we do things to attract guests. Over the past two years we have moved to more online marketing and this provides an avenue to offer more flexible rates,” Sam says.
“We are always trying to come up with new ideas to increase patronage at The Arkaba Hotel’s bars. This is a very competitive market which is heavily regulated. One of our main strategies is to ensure we keep up to date with new products regularly. No longer is being at a bar about drinking beer, with consumption of on premise beer statewide down by 15%.
“While meal revenues have been good in comparison to across-the-board retail spending, off premise liquor sales have proved to be a challenge. The Arkaba Hotel has been hit hard by the heavy discounting from the major players, but we have recorded a 300% increase in our cider sales.
“The Arkaba Hotel’s revenue from gaming machines has remained flat in recent years since the non-smoking ban was introduced in SA in 2007. The Gillard-Wilkie reforms will decimate the gaming industry if they are introduced and it will cost billions of dollars to roll out mandatory pre-commitment technology.”
Hurley Hotel Group Marketing and Promotions Manager Glen Aikman says the hotel’s feature sign on the co...
