RB Radio

If you want to learn more about the accommodation sector, you can explore Quest Apartment Hotels: https://www.questapartments.com.au

In this new episode, Trudy sits down with Rob Tye (Acumentis), James Ruben (M3 Property), and Resort Brokers economist Josh Mangleson to unpack the opportunities, challenges, and future outlook for Australia's motel sector. From rising renovation costs and constrained supply to leasehold trends and regional investment opportunities, the discussion reveals why the industry's long-term fundamentals remain strong.

◼️ Why motel owners need to reinvest now to protect future cash flow

◼️ How supply shortages are driving occupancy, ADR growth, and asset values

◼️ The changing economics behind leaseholds, freeholds, and motel yields

◼️ Where industry leaders would invest their money in today's market

◼️ Predictions for occupancy, technology adoption, and motel profitability in the year ahead

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:06:24 Leasehold yields and living costs.

00:08:24 Motel market beneficiaries of housing.

00:12:14 Lease term and property value

00:18:20 Lease term valuation challenges

00:21:29 Land value and redevelopment potential

00:24:13 Supply challenges in hospitality industry

00:28:06 Motel market outlook

00:32:05 Investing in southeast Queensland

00:36:01 Regional investment opportunities in Queensland

00:39:37 Investment in technology for efficiency

00:42:26 Technology providers recommendations

Follow Resort Brokers:

https://www.instagram.com/resortbrokers/

https://www.facebook.com/ResortBrokersAustralia

https://www.youtube.com/@resortbrokersau

https://www.tiktok.com/@resortbrokersau

If you want to learn more about the accommodation sector, you can explore Quest Apartment Hotels: https://www.questapartments.com.au

In this new episode, Trudy sits down with Rob Tye (Acumentis), James Ruben (M3 Property), and Resort Brokers economist Josh Mangleson to unpack the real forces reshaping the motel industry, from valuation challenges to post‑COVID demand, pricing strategy, and the rise of innovative operators.

◼️ How goodwill, service, and operator consistency drive repeat corporate and leisure guests

◼️ Why COVID permanently changed domestic travel habits and boosted regional motel demand

◼️ The valuation realities behind over‑performing motels, tech‑driven efficiency, and buyer expectations

◼️ The business fundamentals that still matter in 2026, pricing discipline, occupancy balance, and strong landlord relationships

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:35 Acumentis Partnership and Data Growth

00:02:00 Why Valuers Support the Motel Report

00:03:46 Why Every Motel Business Is Unique

00:04:08 James’ Role at M3 Property

00:04:30 Valuing Hotels, Motels, and Caravan Parks

00:05:13 Why Every Asset Has Its Own Story

00:06:33 How Shared Data Improves Transactions

00:07:14 Protecting All Parties in a Motel Deal

00:08:01 When Motels Don’t Value Up

00:09:03 Average Operator vs Superstar Operator

00:09:19 When Performance Can’t Be Justified

00:11:02 Younger Buyers and Labour Efficiency

00:12:07 When Projections Don’t Match Reality

00:13:52 How Banks Assess Risk Profiles

00:14:38 Operating Costs and the 40% Median

00:16:14 COVID’s Positive Impact on Motels

00:18:32 ADR vs Occupancy Balance

00:19:13 How Online Platforms Changed Pricing

00:20:31 Operators Rethinking Rate Strategy

00:22:05 Coastal Motels and Price Shifts

00:23:02 How Online Behaviour Shaped Pricing

00:24:41 Human Element in Motel Performance

00:25:12 Why Operator Interaction Matters

00:26:30 Balancing Tech and Personal Touch

00:27:21 Why Personal Experience Still Matters

00:28:33 Reactive Service Through Smart Systems

Follow Resort Brokers:

https://www.instagram.com/resortbrokers/

https://www.facebook.com/ResortBrokersAustralia

https://www.youtube.com/@resortbrokersau

https://www.tiktok.com/@resortbrokersau

If you want to learn more about the accommodation sector, you can explore Quest Apartment Hotels: https://www.questapartments.com.au

In this new episode, Trudy sits down with Damien and Judy Kennedy to unpack the real drivers of motel performance, from rebuilding failing properties to creating loyal repeat corporate guests. Three decades of experience reveal one truth: the operators who care, win.

◼️ How relationships, service, and “giving a damn” keep reps coming back

◼️ Turning around tired regional motels through pride, consistency, and community

◼️ The business fundamentals that still work in 2026, from pricing to landlord partnerships

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:02:00 - The Jumbuck: A Turnaround Story

00:03:00 - Understanding Occupancy Rates

00:04:00 - Building Relationships in Small Towns

00:05:30 - Engaging with the Local Community

00:06:30 - The Unique Challenges of Longreach

00:07:30 - Sponsorship and Community Support

00:08:30 - Business Development in Smaller Towns

00:09:30 - The Importance of Direct Business

00:10:30 - Personal Touch in Customer Service

00:11:30 - Enhancing Guest Experience

00:12:30 - The Value of Remembering Guests

00:13:30 - The Role of Relationships in Business

00:14:30 - Investing in Quality Amenities

00:15:30 - The Impact of Service on Customer Loyalty

00:16:30 - The Evolution of the Motel Industry

00:17:30 - Understanding Market Dynamics

00:18:30 - The Role of Freehold Owners

00:19:30 - The Importance of Communication

00:20:30 - The Saltbush Acquisition

00:21:30 - Navigating Challenges During COVID

00:22:30 - The Resurgence of Travel Post-COVID

00:23:30 - The Importance of Flexibility in Business

00:24:30 - Building a Successful Business Model

00:25:30 - The Role of Relationships with Landlords

00:26:30 - The Importance of Partnership in Business

00:27:30 - The Future of the Accommodation Industry

00:28:30 - The Roma Explorers Inn Opportunity

00:29:30 - The Role of Technology in the Industry

00:30:30 - Adapting to Market Changes

00:31:30 - The Importance of Customer Relationships

00:32:30 - The Value of Direct Bookings

00:33:30 - The Evolution of Marketing Strategies

00:34:30 - The Impact of OTAs on Business

00:35:30 - The Future of Motel Operations

Follow Resort Brokers:

https://www.instagram.com/resortbrokers/

https://www.facebook.com/ResortBrokersAustralia

https://www.youtube.com/@resortbrokersau

https://www.tiktok.com/@resortbrokersau

If you want to learn more about the accommodation sector, you can explore Quest Apartment Hotels: https://www.questapartments.com.au

Success in motels isn’t about shortcuts, it’s about urgency, fundamentals, and relationships that stand the test of time.

In this new episode, Trudy sits with Damien and Judy Kennedy to unpack three decades of motel experience, from their first Emerald property to building and managing multiple ventures. Their journey shows why relationships, fundamentals, and urgency matter more than anything else.

◼️ How farming roots shaped their motel success

◼️ Why “relationships, relationships, relationships” is the real business model

◼️ Lessons from building, leasing, and managing across Queensland

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:23 - Introducing Damien and Judy Kennedy

00:04:39 - First Motel Purchase in Emerald

00:06:03 - Trust and Partnership in Business

00:07:04 - Importance of Customer Service

00:08:45 - Building Relationships with Guests

00:10:01 - Fundamentals of Running a Motel

00:13:16 - Financing and Building a New Motel

00:14:40 - Challenges of Managing a Motel Remotely

00:15:51 - Experience Gained Over a Decade

00:19:15 - Helping Others Enter the Motel Industry

00:20:34 - The Importance of Expertise in the Motel Business

00:22:05 - Hiring the Right Staff

00:24:12 - Decision to Buy Longreach Motor Inn

00:27:17 - Building Relationships in Longreach

00:28:29 - Improving Occupancy Rates

00:30:07 - Strategies for Managing Bus Groups

00:33:18 - Managing Housekeeping Challenges

00:35:15 - Long-Term Success at Longreach Motor Inn

00:37:08 - Selling the Longreach Motor Inn

00:38:23 - Importance of a Good Restaurant

Follow Resort Brokers:

https://www.instagram.com/resortbrokers/

https://www.facebook.com/ResortBrokersAustralia

https://www.youtube.com/@resortbrokersau

https://www.tiktok.com/@resortbrokersau

If you want to learn more about the accommodation sector, you can explore Quest Apartment Hotels: https://www.questapartments.com.au

In this new episode, Trudy Crooks sits down with motelier and content creator Alex Mengual to explore the real decisions, pressures and opportunities inside regional accommodation, from rate strategy and OTAs to choosing the right property and running it with intention.

◼️ The pricing misconceptions that push guests to competitors

◼️ The OTA rate gaps that change booking behaviour

◼️ The operational difference between leisure guests and workers

◼️ The demand‑driven rate decisions operators hesitate to make

◼️ The value‑add approach Alex Mengual uses to lift a motel’s performance

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:02:30 - Alex's Journey into the Motel Industry

00:04:25 - Transitioning to Motel Management

00:06:10 - Initial Challenges and Expectations

00:08:09 - First Year Adjustments and Dynamic Pricing

00:09:21 - Outsourcing and Efficiency in Operations

00:10:21 - Maximizing Revenue During Peak Seasons

00:12:09 - Seeking a Long-Term Lease

00:13:04 - Evaluating Motel Opportunities

00:14:39 - Analyzing the Town and Market Demand

00:16:48 - Decision-Making Process for the New Motel

00:18:26 - Understanding Online Booking Dynamics

00:19:41 - The Importance of Rate Management

00:21:03 - Restaurant Challenges and Opportunities

00:22:13 - Social Media Engagement and Strategy

00:25:19 - Business Planning and Cash Flow Management

00:30:02 - Renovations and Compliance Issues

00:31:44 - Building Community Support for the Restaurant

00:32:17 - Current Business Performance and Pricing

00:34:24 - Advice for New Hoteliers

Follow Resort Brokers:

https://www.instagram.com/resortbrokers/

https://www.facebook.com/ResortBrokersAustralia

https://www.youtube.com/@resortbrokersau

https://www.tiktok.com/@resortbrokersau

Follow Alex Mengual:

https://www.instagram.com/mylittlemotel

https://www.threads.com/@mylittlemotel?xmt=AQG0WTBcRreu5-IQ6PDV9r02XAU9J5cmFy6llruMKanpzqI

If you want to learn more about the accommodation sector, you can explore Quest Apartment Hotels: https://www.questapartments.com.au

In this episode, Trudy sits down with Mark O’Shea to unpack the realities of running multiple properties through Covid, navigating greenfield openings, managing landlord relationships, and building TKC, a charity that sends every donated dollar directly to families in need.

This episode covers:

◼️ How relationships with landlords, head office and staff carried them through Covid

◼️ What it takes to open and scale multiple Quest properties

◼️ Why TKC was built on a $100‑in, $100‑out promise

◼️ How their charity grew from backyard events to 1,000‑person galas

◼️ The emotional and operational load behind supporting families through cancer

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:02:00 - Early Days with Quest and Resort Brokers

00:03:40 - Transitioning to New Properties

00:05:10 - Family Involvement in the Business

00:06:00 - Challenges of Opening During COVID

00:07:30 - Geelong Central and Its Opportunities

00:09:10 - The Impact of the Commonwealth Games

00:10:30 - Starting Team Kill Cancer (TKC)

00:12:30 - The Birth of TKC and Initial Fundraising

00:14:00 - Growth of TKC Events

00:15:30 - Corporate Sponsorship and Support

00:17:00 - Local Charities and Community Impact

00:19:00 - Expanding TKC Beyond Melbourne

00:20:30 - Challenges of Running a Charity

00:23:00 - Emotional Toll of Charity Work

00:25:00 - The Process of Helping Families

00:27:00 - Managing Roles Within TKC

00:29:00 - Importance of Clear Roles in Teamwork

Follow Resort Brokers:

https://www.instagram.com/resortbrokers/

https://www.facebook.com/ResortBrokersAustralia

https://www.youtube.com/@resortbrokersau

https://www.tiktok.com/@resortbrokersau

If you want to learn more about the accommodation sector, you can explore Quest Apartment Hotels: https://www.questapartments.com.au

In this episode, Trudy sits down with David Toomey to unpack why he believes the motel sector offers one of the strongest risk‑return profiles in Australia. From his private equity background and a $2.1B NASDAQ listing to building a national motel fund, David breaks down the economics, the scale advantages and the operational levers shaping the industry.

This episode covers:

◼️ Why property‑backed motels can deliver a 25% IRR

◼️ How diversification across motels reduces overall risk

◼️ The macro forces lifting regional accommodation demand

◼️ Why four‑star corporate motels create steadier revenue

◼️ How operational changes drove a 10–15% uplift

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:35 - Guest Introduction: David Toomey

00:02:22 - David's Background and Career Path

00:04:06 - Transition to Australia and Tritium

00:05:33 - Identifying Opportunities in the Motel Industry

00:08:47 - Risk-Return Profile of Motels

00:09:34 - Market Trends and Population Growth

00:10:33 - Fund Structure and Acquisition Goals

00:11:56 - Investment Criteria for Motels

00:12:53 - Brand Strategy and Quality Focus

00:14:42 - Investor Participation and Fund Structure

00:16:10 - Comparison with Other Investment Models

00:17:01 - Fund Management and Governance

00:18:15 - Projected Returns and Investment Strategy

00:20:08 - Diversification Benefits of the Fund

00:21:44 - Operational Management and Team

00:23:07 - Revenue Optimization Strategies

00:25:08 - Expense Management Techniques

00:26:54 - Challenges in Property Acquisition

Follow Resort Brokers:

https://www.instagram.com/resortbrokers/

https://www.facebook.com/ResortBrokersAustralia

https://www.youtube.com/@resortbrokersau

https://www.tiktok.com/@resortbrokersau

Follow Quest Apartment Hotels:https://www.questapartments.com.au

Looking to buy your next hotel, motel, caravan park, or management rights?

Work with the brokers who meet with Australia’s leading operators every week. Explore exclusive listings and deals backed by decades of on-the-ground experience: https://www.resortbrokers.com.au/

In this Episode, Trudy sits down with Carla and Liam to unpack the 40-year brand journey of Resort Brokers and why they decided it was time for a full rebrand. Carla walks through the early days of beige business cards, lime green logos and horizontal magazines, and how the brand evolved as the business grew, the market changed, and social media and personal branding became impossible to ignore. Liam shares what “brand” really means beyond a logo: the feeling people have after every touchpoint, from events and IMs to office signage and how the team shows up in person. Together they break down the thinking behind the new look and why it finally feels aligned with who Resort Brokers really are as accommodation specialists, not just another real estate agency.

Follow Resort Brokers:

https://www.instagram.com/resortbrokers/

https://www.facebook.com/ResortBrokersAustralia

https://www.youtube.com/@resortbrokersau

https://www.tiktok.com/@resortbrokersau

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:00:24 - If service fails the brand fails

00:00:32 - Trudy introduces Carla and Liam

00:02:10 - How Carla accidentally became the family brand guardian

00:05:16 - The many lives of the Resort Brokers brand

00:08:17 - Moving from black and white to a fresh accommodation led identity

00:09:16 - What a brand really is in 2025

00:11:25 - Personal brands social media and experience driven branding

00:15:11 - The challenge of branding multiple asset classes

00:19:09 - Three brand pillars properties firm brand and personal brand

00:20:00 - Bespoke IMs that mirror the developers vision

00:22:33 - Why the new look finally feels like “us”

00:23:34 - Old school prospecting 20 visits a week

00:24:23 - Note cards stamps and why physical mail still cuts through

00:26:08 - Service as the real brand in a world of OTAs

00:28:36 - Why video is still the most underused growth lever for operators

00:30:03 - Turning one shoot into a library of content

00:31:30 - Keeping up with clients’ marketing and what’s next for the brand

00:32:06 - Reviews

Looking to buy your next hotel, motel, caravan park, or management rights?

Work with the brokers who meet with Australia’s leading operators every week. Explore exclusive listings and deals backed by decades of on-the-ground experience: https://www.resortbrokers.com.au/

In this episode of Resort Brokers Radio, Trudy and Josh delve into part two of their groundbreaking motel report, a decade-long study of the accommodation industry. They discuss the importance of addressing profit and loss (P&L) statements well in advance of bringing properties to market, emphasizing that proactive management can lead to better outcomes. The conversation highlights the strategic decisions made by a particular motel group that has acquired multiple assets in Southeast Queensland, focusing on renovations and the potential for significant returns. Listeners are invited to access the full report for deeper insights into industry trends and success stories.

Follow Resort Brokers:

https://www.instagram.com/resortbrokers/

https://www.facebook.com/ResortBrokersAustralia

https://www.youtube.com/@resortbrokersau

https://www.tiktok.com/@resortbrokersau

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:15 Motel industry 10-year study.

00:04:55 Finance valuation process explained.

00:08:38 Preparing financials for sale.

00:14:20 Repositioning existing motel assets.

00:15:20 Affordable housing trends in tourism.

00:21:19 Risk and reward in valuation.

00:24:10 Industry bounce back after COVID.

00:28:52 Tourist markets post COVID growth.

00:31:10 Regional accommodation market shift.

00:36:00 Motel valuation challenges.

00:41:17 Importance of clean P and L.

00:43:12 Management team in accommodation.

00:47:23 Management structure in hospitality.

Looking to buy your next hotel, motel, caravan park, or management rights?

Work with the brokers who meet with Australia’s leading operators every week. Explore exclusive listings and deals backed by decades of on-the-ground experience: https://www.resortbrokers.com.au/

In this episode of Resort Brokers Radio, hosts Trudy and Josh are joined by Jordan and Ryan to unpack insights from the first-ever industry motel report. They share key findings from their nationwide roadshow and how the motel landscape is evolving. The conversation dives into why maintaining strong room rates is crucial in a competitive market and how operators are managing rising costs like cleaning and utilities. With a genuine passion for the motel industry, Trudy and Josh reflect on the valuable feedback gathered from across the country and share their excitement for what’s next in the sector.

Follow Resort Brokers:

https://www.instagram.com/resortbrokers/

https://www.facebook.com/ResortBrokersAustralia

https://www.youtube.com/@resortbrokersau

https://www.tiktok.com/@resortbrokersau

Follow Jordan and Ryan:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-hayes-780380223/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/knight-frank/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/opteonsolutions/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryandanaher/

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:04 First ever industry motel report.

00:06:04 Yield spread in tourism sectors.

00:10:09 Motel industry's role in housing.

00:12:53 Management's impact on valuation.

00:18:20 Institutional roll-ups in motel industry.

00:20:07 Real estate price escalation.

00:25:50 Valuation certainty in real estate.

00:30:34 Domestic tourism trends in Australia.

00:34:08 Regional real estate market trends.

00:39:15 Cost challenges for operators.

00:41:12 Rising wage costs in hospitality.

00:45:27 Data-driven partnerships in valuations.