Page 16 - Tropic Magazine Issue 30

TROPIC • TOURISM

Cruel irony

STAFF SHORTAGES
As visitors flock to Far North
Queensland, a staff shortage Mr Holloway said the shortfall of
means tourism and hospitality traditional backpacker staff is not being Cairns plane passengers
businesses are struggling to met, with job ads going unanswered.
“I’m trying to find ways not to burn out
keep up with demand. our staff,” he said. “If we as a destination 80
%
capacity in
Words: Renee Cluff have to limit capacity then people can’t April 2021
get to the places they want to experience
The message for both visitors and locals so we have to make sure we give our
is to book well ahead as local hospitality clients clear expectations.” 348,357
businesses scramble to meet your needs It’s estimated hospitality businesses in 283,668
on reduced staff rosters. Co-founder of Far North Queensland are getting by on
Nu Nu Restaurant at Palm Cove, around a third fewer staff than required.
Nick Holloway, is working extraordinary Managing Director of employment
hours in what he describes as the portal Seek, Kendra Banks, said reduced
busiest period the restaurant has ever labour supply from overseas is just 11,153
been in its 17-year history. “We’re aeons one contributing factor. “Workers are
busier than before COVID-19,” he said. displaying a more cautious approach to April 2019 April 2020 April 2021
“It’s frustrating because right now is career moves following a turbulent year,”
the perfect opportunity to show how she said.
incredible Far North Queensland is as a April hospitality
destination.”
and tourism job ads

With more jobs available, 21.7%
there is a knock-on
effect to the number of month-on-month
across Australia
applications per job Source: Seek
ad posted

Kendra Banks, “Right now, we are seeing more of the
SEEK Managing working holidaymakers arriving from the
Director
southern states as they traditionally do
for the winter, but we do have a serious
CEO of Tourism Port Douglas and shortage,” she said. “The pent-up demand
Daintree, Tara Bennett, told Tropic she is is there, it’s such a dramatic change from
hoping the situation will ease somewhat a year ago. Businesses are just pushing on
now the cooler months are here. and doing the best they can.”

Fitting farewell In more recent years, he started
Great Barrier Reef Legacy, which
A memorial service is being last year held the largest-ever
held in late June for John Rumney, citizen science project to map and
a pioneer of eco-tourism in Far rate the health of every corner of
North Queensland. The United the reef. Mr Rumney died at the age
States-born nature lover lived in of 71 in September last year, when
Port Douglas for most of his life, large gatherings weren’t permitted.
initially starting a commercial His family has now issued an open
fishing business before founding invitation to attend a celebration of
the scientific and dive research his life.
vessel Undersea Explorer and Eye If you wish to go, see details on the
to Eye Marine Encounters. Facebook page. The service will FACEBOOK: @john.rumney.legacy
also be broadcast live online.

16 • Tropic • Issue 30