Queensland tourism bosses go to drastic lengths to cover staff shortages

Resort managers, executives and even CEOs are filling shifts in hotel kitchens as Queensland tourism’s crippling jobs shortage is laid bare. And it seems the issues are across the board.

Resort managers, executives and even CEOs are filling shifts in hotel kitchens as Queensland tourism’s crippling jobs shortage is laid bare.

As Qantas asks white collar executives to fill shifts as baggage handlers at airports in southern states, Queensland tourism industry bosses are also rolling up their sleeves to help cover for an estimated shortfall of more than 5000 unfilled positions.

Barry Robinson, president and managing director of International Operations for the multinational Wyndham Destinations chain, spent Tuesday morning manning the kitchen of the group’s Surfers Paradise resort with his human relations manager amid serious staffing shortages.

Wyndham Destinations managing director and president Barry Robinson working on the morning breakfast round in the kitchen of Wyndham Resort Surfers Paradise amid staff shortages. Picture: Adam Head

A cruel combo of Covid’s winter wave, combined with a slow trickle of international visa arrivals, as many regular staff embark on long overdue holidays has left many Queensland tourism businesses struggling to run operations.

Some 5000 working holiday visa holders have arrived in Queensland since international borders reopened, but it is well short of the 29,000 who had arrived in the Sunshine State at the same stage of 2019.

Workforces across every sector are also battling with rising staff absence levels due to the onslaught of the latest Covid wave.

Victoria Kelley and Kelsey Kurre from the USA are among the international travellers taking posts at tourism businesses like Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island as the tourism sector struggles to fill job vacancies. Picture: Adam Head

Mr Robinson said Wyndham, which is still advertising more than 30 jobs in Queensland and over 100 nationally, was not immune to the struggle as he served up breakfast at the Surfers Paradise resort.

“It seems to be across the board and workforces are having to adapt from one day to the next,” he said.

“We’re all having to be more flexible and people are getting asked to do a wider variety of work.

“There’s a whole range of reasons ranging from sick workers to ongoing issues getting enough international visa holders here.”

Executives at other hotels and resorts in Queensland have also taken on extra duties ranging from reception duties to washing dishes.

Brisbane Airport is also on the hunt for more workers, launching a recruitment blitz to attract an extra 2000 employees ranging from security guards and bus drivers to landscape gardeners and biosecurity officers.

Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Brett Fraser said staffing issues remained one of the biggest challenges for the sector.

Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Brett Fraser.

“Consumer demand for Queensland experiences and destinations is soaring and forward bookings are strong, but our operators are grappling with a critical shortage of staff after the pandemic forced thousands from the industry,” he said.

“Across the board, the key concern for our state’s tourism and hospitality operators remains the scarcity of trained and skilled employees.

“For the next few months, the tourism sector will continue balancing consumer demand with workforce challenges.”

It comes as Qantas asks office staffers to volunteer for training to work as baggage handlers at Sydney and Melbourne airports to help the embattled airline through an unprecedented strain on resources.