Hospitality staff shortages mean NT businesses can’t keep up with demand

While Northern Territory businesses have generally welcomed the relaxation of state border controls, the influx of tourists is putting a strain on short-staffed hospitality venues.

Restaurant owner May Lai, who manages the busy Hanuman restaurant in Darwin has overseen a full house almost every night for a year, with minimal help.

The influx of tourists has exacerbated the problem.

"It's just really, really stressful," Ms Lai said of staff shortages.

"I used to have a lot of people just walk in looking for a job … at the moment I have to say, I have zero resumes."

The issue keeps Ms Lai awake at night.

"I really enjoy working in hospitality but really we need the staff, otherwise I couldn't do the best service for the customer."

Hospitality NT says its members are crying out for help and estimates that 7,000 workers are required to fill the void.

"We need to start landing planes of skilled and seasonal workers from COVID-safe countries into the Territory, fully vaccinated, quarantined here," Hospitality NT CEO Alex Bruce said.

Like the restaurants, NT’s hotels are bursting at the seams with bookings back to pre-pandemic levels

"There isn't time to sit down, there's barely any time for a meal break for some people and some people are working six to seven days a week, so it does take its toll," Hilton Hotel Manager Lisa Goode said.

While some may say being busy is a nice to problem to have, Alex Bruce disagrees.

"We are sick of hearing it's a nice problem to have, it's actually a bad problem," Bruce said.

"We don't want to get the brand that we are expensive and not delivering what the customer expects."

It is also important for staff to come in to alleviate issues of burnout.

27th May 2021