EDITORIAL
Premier and Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Jeremy Rockliff
As Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, I’m pleased to say that there is a suite of initiatives in the 2024-25 State Budget designed to support our industry as we deliver our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future. Over the next four years, more than $10 million will flow into the hospitality sector, supporting workforce growth, job-ready training, visitor attraction and business support initiatives. The tourism and hospitality sector is a jobs powerhouse, and we know that skills and labour shortages remain a critical challenge for the hospitality industry in Tasmania. We want to see this sector continue to flourish, which is why we have a plan to upskill and grow the workforce through a $1.3 million investment in the Visitor Experience Training (VXT) initiative over the next two years. VXT provides practical job-ready training opportunities that support more Tasmanians into the workforce and provides the industry with more support. The 2024-25 Budget also invests in the Hospitality 2030 Workforce Development Plan to deliver career expos, school engagement programs, and business forums across the State. A $3 million investment into the Great Customer Experience Program by the THA will provide free support to tourism and hospitality businesses across the State. More than 1800 hospitality businesses and 2400 staff have already benefited from the support and training provided through the program, and the 2024-25 Budget secures the initiative for thousands more. Tasmania’s hospitality industry injects over $700 million into the economy each year and is the lifeblood of our regions – that will continue to grow in the 2024- 25 Budget.
delivering $500,000 for our Regional Hospitality Revival Fund, which provides grants to support hospitality businesses in regional Tasmania and attract visitors to the regions. Eligible businesses can apply for funding to assist in meeting the costs associated with live performances, event staging, minor works, marketing, and promotion, or other initiatives that contribute to their business and help bring visitors into their region. Clubs Tasmania will continue to receive funding support from our Government so they can provide advice, information and support to improve the organisational capability of Tasmanian community clubs, sporting clubs and RSL clubs. The Budget will also recognise the importance of promoting women in the industry and leadership, developing mental health resources for the sector and supporting the Hospo Health program. This Budget drives the delivery of the 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, which takes action right now on the things that matter to Tasmanians and ensures Tasmania continues to be strong, healthy and safe. We know Tasmanians are facing cost-of-living and cost-of-doing-business pressures. That’s why we are making record investments in the things that matter most to Tasmanians and making life more affordable. We are delivering record cost-of-living relief of more than $550 million as we support Tasmanians through the everyday challenge of affordability. We’ve taken action to help reduce the burden of these challenges, with our Supercharged Renewable Energy Dividend already saving every Tasmanian household $250. We’re also backing the engine room of our economy through the Supercharged Renewable Energy Dividend, with small businesses receiving a $300 credit.
The 2024-25 Budget delivers on the things that matter to Tasmanians.
To further support our regional communities, we are
15 Tasmanian Hospitality Review Oct/Nov Edition
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