WHILE several businesses in the South West recorded record revenue figures for the Christmas and new year holiday period, many are suffering a shortage of skilled hospitality staff to work the summer.
According to Pro Busselton director and Busselton Chamber of Commerce director Ray McMillan, research undertaken by the chamber six months ago indicated a shortage of 500 people throughout the hospitality sector in the Busselton region.
“The pressure [for operators] is usually felt in December but this year people started to feel it in September and October because they couldn’t fill the summer jobs,” Mr McMillan said.
“The resort at Bunker Bay created an immediate impact and there are a number of developments and restaurants that have opened.”
In previous years, he said, university students met summer peak demand. Now, however, the tourist season was extending as late as May.
Peter Rigby, who spent a decade working with the Margaret River Visitors Centre, said the period from Christmas to New Year’s Day was the busiest he’s seen in the region for 10 years.