As we move into the summer holiday period, many industries begin to experience their own version of “peak season.” Hotels welcome a surge of guests, shopping centres see heavier foot traffic, offices prepare for year-end shutdowns, and student accommodation providers manage large-scale move-outs. With demand rising across the board, now is the perfect time for businesses to plan ahead, strengthen their cleaning and housekeeping operations, and ensure they’re well-prepared for the busy months ahead.

October is Safe Work Month, and at ahs hospitality, it’s our time to pause, reflect, and celebrate what truly keeps our teams strong: safety. This year’s theme, “Be Prepared. Be Safe.”, captures the proactive approach we take to safety every day. As Jay Markland, Safety and Quality General Manager, explains: “Every day, we assess our tasks, identify risks, and put the right steps in place to keep our people safe. These risk assessments help shape our training and procedures, because when we follow our processes, we protect not just ourselves, but each other.” Throughout the month, we’ve focused on a new topic each week, exploring how small, everyday habits can make a big difference and help us create a safer workplace for everyone.

At ahs hospitality, Housekeeping Week is more than a celebration. It is a chance to shine a spotlight on the people who are truly at the heart of hospitality. Across Australia and New Zealand, our housekeeping teams are the ones who make every guest stay special, combining skill, care, and professionalism with a passion that sets them apart.

As spring approaches, businesses across Australia and New Zealand prepare for an influx of travellers, diners, conferences, and special events. This makes spring cleaning more than just a seasonal ritual, it’s a strategic step in ensuring exceptional guest satisfaction, protecting your property’s reputation and staying ahead during the busy season. At ahs hospitality, with over 30 years of experience in housekeeping services, we know what it takes to get rooms, restaurants, and facilities truly guest-ready. That’s why we’ve put together a practical deep-cleaning checklist to help your team prepare for spring. 

At ahs hospitality, we believe that great leadership has no borders. Through our New Zealand International Student Program, we proudly welcome skilled and driven individuals from around the world, providing them with meaningful opportunities to grow into confident and capable leaders within the hospitality industry. Meet Nirmal and Krishna, two dedicated professionals from Nepal who joined ahs hospitality through this program. Arriving in New Zealand with ambition and determination, they now hold 2IC (Second-in-Charge) leadership roles in some of the country’s busiest hotels. Their journeys reflect more than just career success. They are stories of resilience, growth, and discovering a strong sense of purpose in a new environment. 

Winter brings cooler mornings, shorter days, and a few extra challenges for those working in hospitality. At ahs hospitality, our teams continue to deliver exceptional service across hotels and accommodation sites, even when the temperature drops. So how do we stay energised, healthy, and motivated through the colder months? Here’s how our people keep the winter blues at bay while staying focused and connected on the job. Powering Up the Day with Morning Briefings Powering Up the Day with Morning Briefings A focused start sets the tone for a productive day. Our teams begin each shift with a daily morning briefing, a dedicated time to align on priorities, review room allocations, discuss any guest feedback, get some stretches in and highlight key reminders for the day ahead. This simple but powerful routine helps create clarity, boost team energy, and ensure everyone is working together toward the same goals right from the start. 

At ahs hospitality, the safety and well-being of our people come first. As part of our ongoing commitment to building respectful, inclusive, and harassment-free environments across Australia and New Zealand, we are proud to share our strengthened Sexual Harassment Prevention Plan. This initiative is about more than compliance, it’s about culture. We want every employee to feel safe, supported, and empowered, no matter where they work. That means taking proactive, meaningful steps to identify risk, educate teams, and foster environments built on trust and mutual respect. Why It Matters? Sexual harassment is unlawful and unacceptable under any circumstances. It refers to unreasonable, uninvited, or unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that makes someone feel offended, humiliated, or threatened. Importantly, it does not need to be directed at a specific individual or intended to cause harm to be considered harassment. Sexual harassment can occur between any individuals, regardless of gender, and can take place both in and outside the workplace, including on-site, online, or at work-related events. We understand that power imbalances and fear of retaliation can make it difficult for individuals to speak up. That’s why we’re building a workplace culture where reporting is safe, respected, and supported—and where prevention is a shared responsibility. What We’ve Reviewed To strengthen our prevention plan, we began by thoroughly reviewing our existing policies, training, and risk controls to ensure alignment with current laws and best practices. Through internal consultations and risk assessments, we confirmed strong foundational practices already in place, including: A comprehensive Respect at Work policy Equal Employment & Anti-Discrimination policy Anti-Bullying & Victimisation policy Workplace Mental Health policy Health & Safety Commitments Statement Behaviour in the Workplace training Anonymous reporting hotline Regular site risk assessments and inspections

April has arrived, and with it comes school holidays, Easter celebrations, and a well-earned chance to relax. If you're not heading away, why not turn your home into the ultimate staycation spot? At ahs hospitality, we know a thing or two about creating fresh, inviting spaces. Now we're sharing our favourite tips to help you bring that hotel-level luxury into your everyday — because you deserve a little self-care this holiday season. 1. Clear the Clutter The first step to creating a peaceful, spa-like atmosphere at home is simplicity. Hotels and Spas achieve that calming effect with clean surfaces, neatly folded towels, and minimal visual clutter. Start by doing a quick reset in your bedroom or bathroom — clear the countertops, fold blankets, and put things back in their place. A tidy space instantly feels more luxurious and inviting.

As New Zealand transitions from the bustling summer months into autumn’s shoulder season, the hospitality industry faces fluctuating occupancy rates that directly impact housekeeping operations. With fewer guests checking in, but an ongoing need to maintain high cleanliness standards, hotels need to adjust staffing levels and workflows to match demand while keeping efficiency high. Here are a range of tips to help you resolve the cleaning staff fluctuations. Understanding the Shoulder Season Shift The shoulder season is the transition between peak and off-peak travel, presenting both challenges and opportunities for hotels. With lower occupancy rates, this period offers the perfect chance to shift focus toward deep cleaning and facility maintenance in preparation for the next busy season. Staffing adjustments also become essential, ensuring a balance between operational efficiency and labour costs. Instead of seeing this time as a slowdown, hotels can leverage it as a strategic window to refine operations and optimise workforce management, ultimately setting the stage for long-term success.