Premier’s Report WILL HODGMAN Premier and Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events
A Budget for hospitality, tourism and skills Particularly relevant for the hospitality sector we have introduced payroll incentives for businesses to take on trainees or apprentices which will save these businesses some $17 million.
This year’s Budget is all about Building Tasmania’s Future. Jobs, particularly for young Tasmanians are a key focus, and many of the opportunities for jobs are in our booming tourism and hospitality sectors. In this Budget we are investing to maintain the boom in the visitor economy, we are supporting hospitality and tourism businesses to grow, and ensuring that our training facilities are world class. Firstly, I am pleased to confirm that we will partner with the Tasmanian Hospitality Association through $245 000 to the THA to assist with industry marketing and development, a hospitality industry conference and the continued roll out of the Great Customer Experience program. Of course, as a sector hospitality is a vital part of our tourism economy which currently sees over 1.2 million visitors to Tasmania each year who collectively spend some $2.14 billion while they are here, and this will only get bigger as we head towards our T21 target of 1.5 million visitors a year by 2020. In this Budget we are providing $11 million to stimulate more demand for leisure travel to Tasmania. This will be directly invested in domestic and international marketing programs. Bringing visitors to our state is great for the economy and local jobs however if we are to further build on our reputation as a must see destination we have to exceed expectations with the quality of our services and visitor experiences. There’s an additional $1.7 million to further drive our visitor economy through the Tasmanian Visitor Engagement Strategy, Destination Action Plans across the state and by supporting the actions resulting from the Tasmanian tourism and hospitality workforce development review. Importantly, you have told us you are always in need of new and young staff to fill positions across the board – staff you can train specifically for your businesses. So we have responded through this year’s Budget to provide that support to bring more young Tasmanians into the workforce.
We are now also providing grants of $4 000 for small businesses to employ a trainee or apprentice through the Small Business Grants to Support Apprentices and Trainees program to help small business employ more new staff that are ideally suited to their business. Of course, the tourism and hospitality sector also has a need for more qualified and capable staff as well as a pipeline of people to deliver the high quality experience our visitors expect. To provide the high-level of training required in the industry and build on the reputation of the TasTAFE Drysdale campuses we will invest $3.2 million over two years in the 2017-18 Budget for the new Drysdale Centre of Excellence. The Drysdale Centre of Excellence will operate as a central and recognised hub for the state’s hospitality industry, including traditional competitors, as well as local training providers to deliver broader, deeper and more industry-driven skills across the board. The Centre of Excellence will be a beacon of professional standard hospitality training across the state for turning out qualified staff. Additionally, we will provide a $200 000 one-off injection in 2017- 18 to establish the Kangaroo Bay International Hospitality Training College as part of the new $45 million boutique hotel development to be built by Shandong Chambroad Corporation at Bellerive. The Training College will provide another career training option in hospitality through TasTAFE with a focus on the high-end international visitor economy, providing more choices for young trainees as well as establishing a larger pool of talented hospitality staff across the state. Across our Budget there are many opportunities for the hospitality sector in Tasmania and we are right behind you with the support you need in bringing the tourism dollar to the state, training and finding staff, as well as growing your businesses.
Be a Part of the Art! Be a Part of the Art!
Originally built by convict labour in 1834, Hadley’s Orient Hotel is one of the oldest boutique hotels in Australia. The National Trust listed venue is home to 71 elegantly styled accommodation suites, hotel rooms and stunning event spaces. Originally built i t l o r in 1834, Hadle ’s l i e of the oldest bo ti tralia. The Natio l is home to 71 ele l a commodatio s it , t l roo s and stunning event spaces.
This charming venue has a rich history interwoven with art and now plays host to Hadley’s Art Prize, Hobart, a major acquisitive landscape art award in Australia. With two beautifully custom-designed galleries, Hadley’s Orient Hotel invites guests to discover Australia’s finest co temporary landscape artists. This charming venue has a rich history interwoven with art and now plays host o Hadley’s Art Prize, Hobart, a major acquis t ve landscape art aw rd in Australia. With two beautifully custom-designed galleries, Hadley’s Orient Hotel invites guests to discover Australia’s finest contemporary landscape artists.
June 2017 www.australianhotels.asn.au
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