By Industry, For Industry

LEADERS FORUM

Julie White, Chief Executive Officer, Hospitality New Zealand

The hospitality industry has and continues to play an important and meaningful role in people’s lives, bringing them together, providing people with a sense of comfort from their “local” or unexpected moments of joy when discovering the newest hospitality purveyor.

In equal parts exciting, challenging and unique, Hospitality is more than an industry. We offer the social glue that helps build communities. Quite often it is the industry that communities depend on. Hospitality NZ members including key industry stakeholders support the wellness of the local community through employment,training, economic growth and are at the grass roots – sponsoring the all-important “player of the day”.

Looking forward into 2020 and what the new year could hold we are cautiously optimistic. Risks are present and the global economy is slowing. Having said that, it is still growing.

Reflecting on a year that was

Submissions, submitted, all year long…

Last year the coalition government had submissions flowing thick and fast and the workload required by Hospitality NZ to contribute to 16 inquiries and reports, was phenomenal.

A lot of work was done behind the scenes, ending the year on a high with the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into Local Government Funding and Finance Final Report. It was a big win for the accommodation sector as they recommended against introducing an accommodation levy. It was pleasing that Hospitality NZ was listened to and mentioned in there port three times.

One week out from Christmas,we were still working on two further submissions; Cannabis Law Reform and Dependant Contractors and will keep you posted on the progress.

Looking forward in 2020

By Industry, For Industry. This is our main focus for 2020. Hospitality NZ continues to work with industry key stakeholders and central and local government to deliver greater benefits and opportunities for members. We are determined to keep dialogue between local and central government on point, to achieve a ‘fit for purpose’ industry. One where collaboration achieves greater common-sense business practices, efficiencies, and a fair playing field for our members.

Immigration Sector Agreement

Workforce development and labour force availability is always a top priority for Hospitality NZ and this year the focus remains on ensuring Work Visa allocations fill staffing needs, peaks and troughs. The industry, as ever, remains committed to employing and training Kiwis but it is simply not realistic when there is 1.1% unemployment in regions like Queenstown. Hospitality NZ already has already begun discussions with Immigration NZ on an industry led sector agreement designed by industry.

In terms of training and development, we are ensuring the Hospitality sector is well represented with a strong voice within the Workforce Development Council. It’s important that as an industry we lead the skills leadership plans and vision, and have influence on our sector’s vocational education and training system, to ensure it is fit for purpose today and in the future.

Night Time Economy

Cities are proactively designed and planned for daytime, but they are not planned in the same way for night-time although cities still operate 24/7. The night time economy is not solely about the hospitality sector; it also adds value to numerous other industries including tourism, retail, transport, activities, attractions,entertainment and culture. We suggest that the Government considers appointing a Minister for Night-time Economy.

Working smarter

Trends and cycles are becoming shorter. What was true a few months ago, might not be next week. Consider, for example, how quickly the Chinese visitor numbers dipped, and when the youth market began to stay for shorter periods.

Small business needs to roll with this swift pace of change and that’s another reason why it’s vital that the industry frame work facilitated by central and local government is completely fit for our purpose, so we can all perform better across the board.

Consider natural disasters; in recent times they’re coming more frequently so business continuity plans need to be in place and up to date. At Hospitality NZ we’re committed to our members being fit for purpose as well, having better conversations with our partners to ensure, for example, that the likes of their insurance cover enables them to recover more quickly.

Hospitality thinks well on its feet but footwork and speed needs to pick up and technology holds the key. Capturing and using data for better performance and embracing automated intelligence and digital assistants will all be featuring in 2020.

Here’s to an exciting and successful 2020 with an election towards the end of the year! It is always our privilege to support and represent this industry, in its unwavering commitment to deliver world-class, Aotearoa-inspired hospitality to our own people and global friends.