Tourism industry working together to meet the needs of booming sector

Tasmania’s world-class, award-winning tourism and hospitality industry is booming, however we need the skilled workforce to be able to meet that demand.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is working hard to provide the pathways for a robust visitor economy that supports more jobs for more people.
The industry is experiencing unprecedented growth and investment. Supported by Tourism 21 (T21), we are aiming to increase visitor numbers to 1.5 million annually, with a visitor expenditure of $2.5 billion, by 2020.
Meeting the T21 target will see over 420,000 additional visitors over the next four years to 2020.
Progress towards this target is on track, with Tasmania attracting 1.19 million visitors in the year ending September 2016, up 4 per cent on the previous year and visitor expenditure is up 8 per cent for the same period to $2.07 billion.
To deliver a consistent, quality product in this phenomenal growth environment, the industry needs to be supported by an expanded workforce with appropriate skills.
My Government has worked with industry leaders to develop and release the Tasmanian Tourism and Hospitality Workforce Development Plan.
This plan provides a responsive and comprehensive state-wide action plan to support the industry to deliver on its growth potential.
It documents the priority workforce capability and capacity challenges, identifies actions to resolve those issues and outlines the timelines and stakeholders required to bring those actions to fruition.
Thanks to the Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania and the Tasmanian Hospitality Association for their work on this plan.
In addition we worked with each of the regional tourism organisations to create a plan that draws on extensive analysis from a state-wide perspective.
A taskforce is being set up with representatives nominated from the tourism, hospitality and training industries.
This taskforce will report directly into the Premier’s Visitor Economy Advisory Council on the priorities and steps needed to meet the challenges ahead and will be ably chaired by James Cretan, Chair of the Tourism Tasmania Board.
The plan details steps such as attracting and retaining a labour force with better school to work transition pathways and aligning training to suit regional industry needs.
For more information visit: http://www.stategrowth.tas.gov.au/home/sectors/cultural_and_tourism_industry
Will Hodgman, Premier Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events