While it can be tempting to leave the past in the dust, it is important to highlight the difference between Queensland’s pre-pandemic tourism landscape and today’s operating environment. The comparison paints a clearer picture for us moving forward.

In March 2020, Queensland’s tourism industry was comprised of 238,000 employees across 59,543 tourism businesses, with 1,985 jobs needing filling. Jump forward to March of this year and our industry is made up of 206,200 employees in 64,038 businesses, with 4,962 job vacancies. This is our current reality – higher numbers of tourism businesses and job vacancies coupled with less employees.

Last month I touched on some of the initiatives and programs run by QTIC, which are connecting operators with job seekers, and upskilling and retaining staff. But a critical piece of the labour shortage puzzle is securing a long-term workforce. This requires incentivising people to choose tourism as a career, as well as investment in effective education and training.Representing the interests of our tourism industry, I have accepted an invitation from The Hon Di Farmer MP to sit on the Queensland Government’s Vocation Education and Training (VET) Strategy Reference Group. The Reference Group have been tasked with overseeing a review of the VET sector and ensuring that the VET sector meets the needs of priority industries, including tourism, bourgeoning demand for skilled workers.

To ensure that our formal educational and training methods marry up with real-world industry needs, consultations on the VET Strategy are taking place across Queensland over the coming months. A discussion paper and online survey are currently live, and I strongly encourage you to have your say to ensure that Queensland’s VET sector is delivering the best outcomes for individuals, employers, and the tourism industry. Additionally, QTIC will be engaging directly with members across Queensland to ensure we capture the views and opinions of industry.

Elevating tourism and hospitality education and training is at the forefront of QTIC’s workforce agenda. Tonight, I will be celebrating industry education at the 26th QTIC Salute to Excellence Awards Ceremony on the Gold Coast.

The Awards hold a special place for all of us at QTIC as they champion the bright stars of our future and celebrate the industry employers and trainers who support young talent. Employers who provide school-based training and apprenticeships are often the unsung heroes of any industry. I am pleased that the Salute to Excellence Awards allow us a night to recognise those exceptional businesses and trainers, and the talented secondary students who have set their sights on a career in tourism.

Although we face challenges ahead, together, we can continue as an industry that supports each other, is invested in quality training, and an industry that celebrates its successes.

Kind regards,
Brett Fraser
QTIC CEO