CEO’S UPDATE
THA CEO STEVE OLD
IT was a pleasure to start the New Year by welcoming our interstate counterparts to Tasmania for the Australian Hotel Association National Awards for Excellence. Everyone within the industry has faced extreme challenges and difficulties in the past two years navigating our way through the Covid-19 pandemic, and it was the first time in this period a national audience has been able to gather in the same room to celebrate the great achievements of establishments from across the country. Obviously a big congratulations to our local winners Ship Inn Stanley, Cataract on Paterson, Saffire Freycinet and MACq01 Hotel who secured a national title. With 269 venues from around Australia all vying for top honours each category was stacked with high class finalists. To see four Tasmanian venues crowned victorious is an incredible achievement and equally as rewarding was having each region of the state represented to highlight the quality extends from the far North West Coast right down to Hobart. Tasmania also had 22 finalists across the various categories, another great accomplishment.
While the gala night proved a big success, it was also great to enjoy some time with members from our interstate associations the afternoon before on a cruise to Peppermint Bay. The weather really turned it on, I know everyone was extremely impressed with how the evening unfolded and it was great to be able to showcase our Tasmanian produce to VIPguests fromaround the country. Like the THA, our interstate bodies are all fighting for the same cause for their members – ensuring the survival of our great industry amid arguably the most turbulent period in recent history. We understand Covid-19 is here to stay and we are all working out ways to operate as best and as safely as we can as we learn to live in this new norm. There has been a big adjustment period and some businesses have been hit harder than others. I encourage anyone who is battling to reach out, the THA has numerous resources available for the hospitality sector and it is more important than ever to prioritise our mental well-being. As we embark on 2022, the air of uncertainty still hovers. I only hope the difficulties we have faced in the past two years have us equipped to handle whatever is thrown our way. All things being equal it is shaping as a big year, with our state awards set for the end of May and Agfest, where the THA will have a stall at for the first time, in August. I have no doubt if we keep working together and stay united, we will emerge the other side and can again prosper.
Hospitality Review: February 2022 7
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online