QHA-Review_April_Digital

INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT with Damian Steele
WHAT WE DO COUNTS
QHA REVIEW | 48
‘WHAT WE DO COUNTS’ IS ONE OF THE QHA’S TAGLINES
WHICH COMMUNICATES THE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION
OUR INDUSTRY MAKES TO QUEENSLAND.
In this election year, the QHA will represent our member’s
interests to government to ensure the best possible policy
settings and trading environment for the hotel, hospitality,
accommodation and tourism sector. It is important that
members also engage with their local politicians from all
sides of politics to communicate the positive contributions
they make in their communities. These positive industry
messages highlights that hotels in Queensland are not
only iconic but also provide incredible benefits.
Employment
The hotel sector employs around 44,000 people in
a mixture of permanent, casual and part-time work
arrangements. A further 36,000 jobs are generated
indirectly by the hotel industry in allied and professional
disciplines such as accounting, training, security, legal,
advertising, transportation, brewing, distribution, music,
finance, real estate, construction, cleaning, information
and media technology, food and insurance, to name a few.
A gross figure of 80,000 jobs are attached to the hotel
sector in Queensland.
Entertainment
Hotels are traditional businesses where millions of
Queenslanders enjoy themselves every week in
entertainment venues of choice for all ages and
demographic groups. Hotels host over 42,000 live music
gigs a year for aspiring and established musicians.
Taxation revenue
Hotels are significant taxation revenue generators and
pay over $600 million in gaming taxation and levies to
the Queensland Government while contributing to the
Gambling Community Benefit Fund which distributes $60
million each year to not-for-profit community groups. There
are numerous other tax contributions such as payroll tax,
land tax, rates, annual fees and charges.
Tourism
Hotels are an integral part of Queensland’s domestic and
international tourism offering. Tourism is a core economic
driver for the state, but especially for the regions where it
plays a pivotal role in regional economic development and
diversification, job creation and infrastructure investment.
• Tourism generates $34.3 billion in visitor spend per year
($94 million per day), with a $44 billion target by 2032.
Tourism is Queensland’s sixth largest export, generating
$2.1 billion in overseas tourism exports and providing
206,000 jobs – a high proportion of which are youth
employment.
• Tourism has vast economic and social reach. The value
of tourism extends beyond leisure and recreation,
providing a catalyst to achieve other Queensland
Government strategic objectives related to First
Nations, innovation, arts and culture, disability access
and equity, as well as contributing to Queensland’s
sustainability and climate change goals.
• The tourism industry, including pubs and
accommodation hotels, contribute to over 7.5% of
Queensland’s Gross State Product. Tourism contributes
$22 billion to the state (GSP), and $13 billion into
regional economies.
Charitable and community support
However, it is beyond the pure quantitative results
where hotels are vital, considering the strong tradition
of community engagement and support for charitable
causes, particularly in regional Queensland. In the remote
communities it is the hotel that serves as the local:
- community hall
- communication hub
- service station and bus stop
- tourist information centre
- Royal Flying Doctor depot
- support group for many local community groups
QHA representation
Hoteliers provide many services to Queenslanders and
are often the first source of employment for many young
Queenslanders. The QHA believes the Queensland
Government must support the brave investors that
continue to operate in the hotel industry, and as such, it is
vital to consider policies and review existing legislation to
improve the lot of all members of the industry.
Above all, the QHA requires governments to consider
policies that are strictly targeted on either encouraging
investment and jobs growth or purposefully reducing costs
and administrative burdens.
The Queensland hotel industry supports an evidencebased
and cooperative approach to liquor industry
regulation and oversight. It is committed to responsible
industry and customer practice, and remains prepared
to invest in industry training, facilities, employment and
product development.
We encourage all members at every opportunity to remind
your local politicians and community stakeholders that
What We Do Counts!