CEO UPDATE
The cooler months always bring challenges for hospitality businesses, but they also provide an important reminder of just how critical a vibrant and active night-time economy is to Tasmania’s broader visitor experience and community life. Last month, we joined industry, government and community representatives at a night-time economy round table discussion focused on the future of Hobart’s CBD and waterfront precincts. It was an extremely productive conversation and reinforced the important role hospitality venues play in shaping safe, welcoming and engaging city experiences. Whether it is restaurants, pubs, bars, cafés, clubs or live music venues, hospitality businesses are often the heartbeat of our cities and towns after dark. They create atmosphere, support jobs, encourage visitation and help bring energy and confidence into precincts that benefit the wider community. Like many sectors, hospitality businesses continue to face significant pressures. Rising operating costs, workforce challenges and changing consumer spending habits remain ongoing issues for operators across the state. Safety and perceptions around safety within entertainment precincts also continue to be important discussion points. However, one thing that became very clear during the round table discussions is that collaboration remains essential. Hospitality Tasmania continues to work closely with Tasmania Police, government and industry stakeholders to ensure our entertainment precincts remain vibrant, safe and welcoming for patrons, staff and businesses alike. The round table also benefited from the expertise of interstate guests Michael Rodrigues, Commissioner for the 24-Hour Economy in NSW, and John “JC” Collins, Queensland’s Night-Time Economy Commissioner, who shared valuable insights from their experiences in other jurisdictions. Their
perspectives reinforced that vibrant and safe night-time economies are built through long-term thinking, collaboration and a willingness to adapt to changing community expectations. Importantly, the conversation around nightlife is about much more than venues trading late into the evening. It is about culture, activation and creating experiences that encourage people to spend time in our cities and regional centres. Live music remains a great example of this. Around 18 months ago, Hospitality Tasmania travelled across the state filming a live music video series featuring venue operators and musicians discussing the role entertainment plays within hospitality settings. A common theme quickly emerged – live music creates atmosphere, supports local artists and helps shape the personality of venues and precincts. Tasmania has worked hard to build a strong reputation around food, beverage, tourism and events, and maintaining an active and engaging night-time economy is an important part of that broader story. Visitors increasingly expect vibrant dining precincts, entertainment offerings and venues that contribute to the overall character of a destination. As we head deeper into winter, continued activation across our hospitality precincts will remain critically important. Major events, live music, local experiences and welcoming venues all play an important role in supporting visitation, jobs and confidence within the industry. Hospitality has always been about bringing people together – and vibrant communities don’t happen by accident. They are created through businesses willing to invest, communities willing to engage and industries willing to work collaboratively toward positive outcomes.
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Tasmanian Hospitality Review June/July Edition
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