CEO UPDATE
THA CEO STEVE OLD
IT’S hard to believe we are a third of a way through 2022 already, it seems like only yesterday we were still grappling with border re-openings amid a hectic start to the new year. To say it has been a whirlwind four months would be a massive understatement but if recent figures are anything to go by, then the light at the end of the tunnel everyone was desperate for appears to be on the horizon. The Tasmanian Hospitality Association’s accommodation occupancy report for February revealed 81.86 per cent of rooms across the state were filled – the highest level since January 2020 before Covid infiltrated our shores. This clearly highlights Tasmania remains a highly desirable destination for interstate and overseas visitors and now that many of the restrictions previously placed on industry have been eased, people are returning in their droves. Obviously competition for tourists across the country will be at a premium given the lack of ability to travel in the past two years, and the experiences Tasmania offers remains a big drawcard. As we know a positive hospitality experience is key for any memorable trip and it is why the THA continues to invest heavily in programs to ensure the sector can thrive and survive as we emerge from Covid. While it is great to see more than 80 per cent of rooms throughout the island booked out, we know there are still many challenges businesses face, especially around staff – both from a skills and number shortage. This is the reason our Great Customer Experience (GCE) and Workforce Development (WFD) programs are so important. It has never been more vital to provide clear and defined pathways for our future generations or to upskill existing staff and I encourage anyone who needs assistance in any area to reach out to our office for assistance.
Last year the THA held 62 hospitality awareness sessions which were presented to more than 1000 students and youth across the state. These sessions offer a realistic insight into careers into hospitality, they offer hands-on components and also include a tour of a hotel. In addition to the awareness sessions, our WFD team hosted showcases in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie across six days, these are fast paced events which allow students to rotate between bar, front of house, barista and kitchen workstations. The 12 showcases saw 602 students from 33 high schools and colleges involved. OurGCE teamalso continue to provide invaluable support to businesses. More than 550 face to face engagements were made in the last six months to the end of 2021, while 228 business health checks were completed across 26 local government areas. Our staffare equipped toprovide guidance around the multitude of issue and concerns which have arisen in recent times and feedback from the program has been extremely positive. The GCE program is a completely free offering for any hospitality venue to access, simply call 6220 7300 to obtain more information. Finally, I’d encourage everyone to grab their tickets for our Awards for Excellence on May 30, which are now on sale. The success our venues had at the national AHA awards in February and the national tourism awards in March are proof Tasmanian establishments are among the best in the country, and recognising the state award winners at our gala night is always a fantastic evening.
Hospitality Review: April 2022 7
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