According to SEEK managing director Joe Powell, the employment forecast for hospitality and tourism jobs will see a 29 percent increase in available roles from May to November 2013.

“Jobs within Australia’s hospitality and tourism sector naturally fluctuate to match seasonal demand. However, year-on-year data from the ‘SEEK Hospitality and Tourism Job Ad Data Report’ has revealed a significant improvement in the number of hospitality and tourism roles available Australia-wide,” Powell said.

According to Tourism Australia’s November 2013 Quarterly Update, opportunities across Australia can be attributed to the six percent increase in international travellers to the country.

In addition, the Q3 2013 Careers Hospitality Hiring Report indicates that there was a 29.5 percent year-on-year increase in the investment of new rooms for hotels and resorts across Australia.

The biggest year-on-year growth was seen in Victoria, with a 37 percent half yearly overall increase in jobs due to Melbourne’s reputation as the country’s most popular overnight destination for interstate travellers, receiving 4.5 million visitors each year as indicted by the Tourism Victoria Annual Report, 2012-13

“Victoria has led the way with an 86 per cent year-on-year improvement in reservation roles, 39 per cent increase in front office and guest services roles and 29 per cent increase in management focused positions,” Powell said. “As a state, Victoria offers the best opportunity for those looking for a more senior position, whether short or long term.”

Queensland has also seen an increase in job opportunities, with a 47 percent increase year-on-year for travel agent positions along with a 21 percent increase for management roles and a 17 percent rise in front office and guest service roles.

In addition, New South Wales also saw an increase across the board with a growing number of travel agent roles available as well as wholesale and inbound group booking roles on the rise.

Peter Davis, managing director of hospitality recruitment specialists, Frontline Recruitment Group, said that though the opportunities for employment are increasing, employers are still looking to recruit top tier talent.

“A lot of new hotels and restaurants have opened up, particularly in Brisbane, and are now advertising for hospitality roles, such as chefs. Despite the ongoing hospitality skills shortage, employers are actually being quite choosy,” says Davis said.

Yet Davis added that staff are equally as wary to leave their positions for a new employer.

“While many hospitality staff are cautious, just as many are still highly mobile with workers following the next holiday season or hotspot. They watch the market closely to identify where the next potential employment opportunities are,” Davis said. “Finding the best employment opportunities is especially important for those hospitality workers looking to secure a sought after permanent position, as only one in five short-term contracts will turn into long-term roles.”

Source: http://www.hospitalitymagazine.com.au