Will Hodgman Premier of Tasmania Premiers Report
THE hospitality sector unquestionably has a lead role in our plan to drive Tasmania forward. The innovative and passionate approach of our hospitality industry has helped Tasmania to become a must-visit destination. Tasmanians are a proud bunch, with good reason, and it gives me great pleasure to again be able to represent Tasmania on the national and international stage as Premier, and to be a strong advocate for our outstanding hospitality sector. My government recognises that you and the industry you work in are the backbone of the visitor economy and a significant contributor to the current strength and buoyancy of our State’s economy. The industry has gone from strength to strength in recent years and we know this is the result of your efforts and the work of the Tasmanian Hospitality Association, acting with the support and confidence of the Government. In recognition of these efforts, we have committed $6.8 million to the hospitality industry for initiatives and projects designed to deliver tangible benefits for your businesses. We recognise that you and your staff are at the coalface, working every day to deliver the sorts of exceptional experiences that visitors to Tasmania come looking for. That’s why we will spend $1.7 million each year for the next four years to provide you with the resources to ensure your business can perform at its best. This includes an investment totalling $2.8 million to expand the acclaimed Great Customer Experience program. Since its introduction in 2014 the Great Customer Experience has been a sweeping force for change across the sector and already more than 600 hospitality businesses have been involved with this incentive. This additional investment in the Great Customer Experience will allow an extra 2000 businesses to take part in the free program, which offers skills development and industrial relations support. We’re also making your workplaces and patrons safer by introducing legislation to crack-down on coward punch attacks and investing $200,000 in a campaign to send the strongest possible message that this act of violent cowardice is not tolerated in your establishments or in anywhere in our State. In addition to this, we’re recognising the value that clubs, sporting clubs and RSLs make to their local communities and the hospitality sector. In many cases, these organisations are run through the goodwill of volunteers, with limited access to resources and expertise. We want to do more to help them to deliver for their members and their communities, which is why we’re spending $800,000 over four years to provide a dedicated resource and support to improve administrative processes, social media activity and skills development among staff.
Hospitality is Tasmania’s third largest employing industry and we want to work with the sector to ensure your workforce is representative of our best and brightest. To do this, we’ve committed $3 million over four years to the THA’s Strategic Plan and Workforce Development, and we’re establishing a dedicated Hospitality Unit within the Department of Premier and Cabinet to spearhead industry and government collaboration. We’re also making Drysdale a Centre for Excellence for tourism and hospitality training, off the back of our $3.2 million investment. This will reinvigorate Drysdale and produce a new generation of hospitality and tourism workers trained to the latest and best industry standards. We are implementing the recommendations of the Tourism and Hospitality Workforce report we commissioned, including establishing an industry led sub-committee of the TasTAFE Board to develop the annual Tourism and Hospitality Workforce Development Plan. Fundamentally, we want to see continued growth in tourism and hospitality, to provide even more jobs and greater opportunities for all Tasmanians. We’ve set our sights on growing the number of jobs in the sector to 50,000 by 2022, up from the current 37,400. Careers in hospitality are not just a stop gap between jobs in other sectors. There is enormous opportunity in hospitality, which is renowned as a sector that celebrates innovation and creativity. The hospitality industry showcases our people, place and produce to people visiting our state, and creates a lasting impression. But it also provides an incredible and highly valued service for locals. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the strong endorsement of the hospitality industry for my Government. My team and I continue to meet with locals in your pubs and venues, because we recognise your businesses represent the hub of your communities. I have no doubt that in working together we will continue to grow and strengthen Tasmania’s hospitality industry and the contribution the sector makes to the visitor economy, for the benefit of all Tasmanians. Will Hodgman Premier of Tasmania Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events Minister for Parks Minister for Heritage Minister for Trade
June 2018 www.tha.asn.au
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