Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Tourism needs labour and skills

Tourism needs labour and skills
September 8, 2011

Australia's tourism industry is suffering from enormous labour and skills shortages which a guest worker scheme and an extension of the Working Holiday Maker visa could help to ameliorate, according to ATEC Managing Director, Felicia Marian.

Mariani welcomed reports that the Federal Tourism Minister planned to look at ways to extend the guest worker scheme to include the hospitality industry as a way of meeting the huge shortfall in labour experienced by tourism operators nationwide.

Mariani explained "our industry is suffering from all of the same pressures many other industries are facing a high Australian dollar, the introduction of the carbon price and severe shortages in labour and skills as a result of the mining boom.

"Regional tourism operators are hindered by labour shortages at every skill level and there are not the workers available in local communities to meet that need."

Mariani said most tourism businesses ran on very low profit margins and the high dollar was making a holiday in Australia even more expensive, leaving no room for increased pricing.

"With our unemployment rate hovering around 5%, it is a big challenge for the tourism industry to attract workers as they can't afford to pay the wages being offered in the mining sector.

"In order to pay more, tourism businesses would need to significantly increase their charges and in the current environment that is just not sustainable.

"Bringing in more workers from overseas, either through a guest worker program or by allowing young Working Holiday Maker travellers an extension to their visa by working in regional hospitality, would be obvious ways to help the tourism industry meet its labour needs.

"These kinds of programs wouldn't be taking jobs from the Australian workforce because the industry has been trying to cope with an ever diminishing labour force for a number of years."

The tourism industry contributes $34 billion to the Australian economy or 2.6% of GDP a year and employs more than half a million people. Tourism is important to many regional economies with many reliant on tourism to keep their communities alive.

Mariani concluded "the skills and labour shortage in the tourism industry is debilitating and threatening the very future of the industry.

"Australia can't afford to lose the economic contribution of the tourism sector and I congratulate Minister Ferguson on his willingness to engage this issue and find a solution."

ATEC has called for changes to the working holiday visa arrangements including extending the definition to allow travellers to stay an extra year in return for taking work in a regional tourism area, an increase in the age limits and allowing young people to apply for the visa a second time.

Image: Members of Dreamworld's staff team. Image courtesy of Dreamworld. 

12th February 2010 - SPORT, FITNESS AND AQUATIC WORKPLACE SURVEY RESULTS 

1st December 2009 - HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE SPORT AND RECREATION WORKFORCE 

17th December 2008 - TTF EXPECTS DOWNWARD TOURISM TREND TO CONTINUE

12th June 2008 - SKILLS SHORTAGES HIT SPORT AND RECREATION


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

COMMERCIAL AQUATICS AUSTRALIA

Commercial Aquatics Australia provides aquatic solutions nationwide and is one of the largest and most experienced companies specialising in the design, construction, renovation, service, maintenance…

read more

Aquatics / Design / Play / Waterparks

 
 

SeatGeek Asia Pacific

SeatGeek is a search engine and mobile-focused ticket marketplace that allows fans to buy and sell tickets for live events. As of August 2018, SeatGeek has exited the Australian, New…

read more

Entertainment / Sport / Technology / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

Myrtha Pools

Founded in 1961, Myrtha Pools® quickly became Italy’s première swimming pool company, and has since grown into one of the world's leading swimming pool construction…

read more

Aquatics / Design / Play / Waterparks / Wellness

 
 

GymMaster

Contact: Australia: (+61) 1800 849 001 New Zealand: (+64) 3 668 5727 International: (+1) 415 915 0375

read more

Fitness / Recreation / Technology

 
 

WATERPLAY Solutions Corp

Whether your goal is increasing your centre's revenues or creating an engaging environment, why not add play to your project? If you're looking for stylish aquatic play features, kid-tested…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Play / Recreation / Waterparks

 
 
 

Advanced Aquarium Technologies

Advanced Aquarium Technologies (AAT) is a world leader in the design, construction, and operation of landmark public aquariums. Led from Queensland, AAT has delivered aquarium projects in over 25…

read more

Attractions / Consultants / Design / Parks / Zoos

 
 

TPEC Pool Enclosures

TPEC Pool Enclosures provide a large range of premium commercial and residential retractable swimming pool, spa and terrace enclosures throughout Australia, servicing residential, local government…

read more

Aquatics / Design / Recreation / Venues

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business