CEO UPDATE
Welcome all to 2025, I trust the summer period has treated you well. It has been great to see a hive of activity around the state with a number of festivals and events drawing people to regions far and wide. Hopefully it has provided a spike to all venues to help start the year on a positive note. One of our key advocacy priorities this year is addressing payroll tax. This has been a long-standing issue for many hospitality businesses, particularly small to medium-sized operators. We’ll be pushing for reforms that ease this burden and allow businesses to reinvest in growth and their people. Similarly, we’re closely monitoring the delays in the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels. These ferries are essential not just for tourism but also for freight, and the ongoing delays impact our ability to attract visitors and maintain supply chains efficiently. Operational costs continue to rise across the board, from utilities to supplier expenses, creating significant pressure on margins. Coupled with this, workforce challenges remain a focal point. The THA is committed to future-proofing our workforce through training, retention initiatives, and partnerships that create clear career pathways.
Customer Experience (GCE) program continues to set the benchmark for service excellence, while our Women in Leadership initiative is empowering more women to take on key roles in hospitality. Additionally, our HospoHealth program is making great strides in improving the physical and mental wellbeing of those working in the industry. I’m particularly excited about a new partnership with Lifeline Tasmania. This collaboration will see us offering free mental health first aid courses to hospitality staff, a crucial step in building capacity and resilience within our industry. Those who have or obtain a MHFA certificate will also be invited to join a pilot program designed specifically to support mental health first aid officers. With mental health challenges on the rise, it’s vital we assist our people so they can thrive both professionally and personally. As we move forward, our focus remains steadfast: to advocate for the needs of our members, provide support through innovative programs, and drive positive change across the sector. While the challenges ahead are significant, I’m confident that with the collective strength of our industry, we can navigate these hurdles and ensure a prosperous future for Tasmanian hospitality.
Our programs are central to this effort. The Great
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Tasmanian Hospitality Review Oct/Nov Edition
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