The inclusion of hospitality alongside tourism in a government portfolio is deserved recognition of a $14bn sector, say industry groups.
Growth in restaurants and hospitality businesses across the country are being tempered by higher costs, according to the Restaurant Association.
New Zealand hospitality businesses are feeling increasingly pessimistic about the state of the economy, according to the latest survey conducted by the Restaurant Association of New Zealand.
Investment in hospitality upskilling, infrastructure development, and the removal of GST on food would be a welcome boost for the sector, says Restaurant Association chief executive Marisa Bidois.
The hospitality industry’s inaugural Cooking up a Storm event led by chef Al Brown has raised $370,000 to support those impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle.
An associate minister for hospitality is one priority that could help position the sector for the future.
Hospitality businesses across the country are coming together to host New Zealand’s biggest dinner party support of those impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle.
The Restaurant Association says that 85% of respondents in a survey of its members have been impacted by Auckland’s downpour on Friday and ongoing weather disruption.
But the recovery could be stymied by labour shortages and increased costs putting pressure on businesses.
The Restaurant Association is calling the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Better Work Action Plan a ‘duplication’ of work it completed in its own roadmap more than a year ago.