Open to a new outlook
Hospitality industry rises to Covid challenges
THE hospitality industry has been forced to overcome an “image crisis” to try to attract and retain staff during very volatile circumstances, an industry leader says.
Lyndsay Sharp, who owns and operates local venues, including Jack Rabbit Vineyard and Leura Park Estate, says the first year since 2020 without Covid lockdowns has been “more challenging” than expected.
“Staff-wise, it’s a challenge,’ she said.
“The hospitality industry is in the process of getting its reputation back.
“Its reputation really suffered – (it was seen as) a volatile industry. Confidence is just starting to return now.”
Ms Sharp said while it was “great to be open”, the industry was dealing with staff and customer illness and a cautious public who regularly cancelled bookings.
She said the challenges impacting the industry during 2020-21 had also led to a mass exodus of staff, with experienced workers moving to more stable industries.
The Geelong Advertiser reported last month that businesses were being forced to cut opening hours amid the latest surge in coronavirus cases.
Ms Sharp said while her venues were not operating at reduced hours, she had had to limit customer numbers to ensure the service was not compromised.
“It hasn’t been the first eight months of the year that everyone hoped it would be,” she said.
“We don’t want to compromise the integrity of service.
“If people come and have an experience that is not as a good as last time, they might not say anything. But, they might not return.”
Business and Tourism Anglesea Association president Damien Cerantonio, who also runs the Great Ocean Road Resort, said businesses did not know what impact Covid would have this summer.
“The unknowns at the moment for me are, how hard is it going to be to find 10-15 staff over the summer?” he said.
“Are we going to have the same problem as last year and what is the impact going to be on existing staff levels when people do get Covid for a second and third time?
“What strain does that put on us?”
Mr Cerantonio said current staffing levels were strong and had been buoyed by programs, including a 2021 Tourism Jobs Bank recruitment drive to fill hundreds of vacant jobs across Greater Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula and the Surf Coast.
Ms Sharp said the industry was increasingly looking at innovative ways to find staff and said she was working with The Gordon TAFE to find opportunities for students and recent graduates.
Ms Sharp said she was “confident” the industry was moving towards greater stability and had seen a recent increase in job applications.
“We are very hopeful and excited for a big thumping summer,” she said.