Page 17 - Tropic Magazine Issue 35

TROPIC • TOURISM

Pandemic
recovery

JOB VACANCIES
A study is looking at ways to
protect the state’s tourism and
hospitality workforce into the
future.
Words: Renee Cluff
Queensland’s peak tourism industry
body has teamed up with the University
of Queensland to develop workforce
resilience plans. According to Seek.com, Credit: Experience Co
around 2,000 tourism and hospitality
jobs in Cairns and the Far North
remain vacant due to impacts of the Work in paradise
pandemic, which is hindering the
industry’s recovery. The Queensland Government’s
Several threats to the tourism workforce Work in Paradise Incentive
have been identified by the Queensland Scheme will end on 30 June, or
Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) through when the allocated $7.5 million in
a survey of 1,500 tourism operators. funding is exhausted.
QTIC Chief Executive Daniel Gschwind The Scheme provides a maximum 50,000
said that while incentivising tourism jobs payment of $1500 to jobseekers to
and luring workers back to the industry take up eligible employment. The number of hospitality
is critical, the report also highlights the So far, 3,000 applications have and tourism jobs lost
need for sustained government support. been received, with more than half nationwide during the
“As we rebuild our visitor economy during securing jobs in Cairns and the coronavirus pandemic
the COVID recovery phase, it is more Whitsundays. Source: Tourism Research Australia
apparent than ever that our next big
challenge will be managing our labour
and skill shortages,” he said. “Shocks to
our labour markets are nothing new but All-abilities pontoon
the pandemic has created a disruption Experience Co has just launched its new $6.6-million pontoon,
on an unprecedented scale that is Reef Magic – the first new pontoon in the Cairns region for more than
challenging our abilities to find a decade. It will be based at Moore Reef, featuring an underwater
practical solutions. This research provides observatory, bar, sun deck and specially designed water entry to provide
valuable insight into the dynamics at snorkelling experiences for people of all abilities.
work and identifies relevant pressure
points where action can be taken. MORE: experienceco.com
“The solutions will have to be found at
the policy level and on the shop floor and
anywhere in between.” Welcoming words
Tourism contributes more than $12 billion Silky Oaks Lodge near Port Douglas has produced a podcast which
to Queensland’s economy each year. is timed to align with a guest’s drive from Cairns Airport. It offers an
The annual visitor spend in Tropical introduction to the destination and its people. The podcast is part of a
North Queensland pre-pandemic was $20-million refurbishment of the lodge. You can read more about the
more than $3 billion. new-and-improved restaurant on pages 46 and 47.
MORE: baillielodges.com.au
MORE: qtic.com.au

17 • tropicnow.com.au