The NSW hospitality industry is booming with new data showing venues across the State have recorded their highest revenues since before the pandemic.
Figures from point-of-sale and e-commerce software provider Lightspeed show month-on-month revenue from bars is up 13 per cent and restaurants up by 14 per cent for the last month of 2022.
Minister for Hospitality and Racing Kevin Anderson said it's full steam ahead for the hospitality industry, with this year set to be even bigger and better for businesses.
"The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to supporting councils, businesses and the wider community to build vibrant, diverse, inclusive and safe 24-hour economies across Greater Sydney and regional NSW," Mr Anderson said.
"We have introduced a raft of programs and initiatives to support the hospitality industry including extending our temporary alfresco dining measures until the end of the year, and allowing hotels and clubs to keep their doors open for longer for special events."
"Since our outdoor dining initiative started in 2020, more than 700 licensed restaurants, pubs, cafes and small bars have been accessing fast-tracked, simplified approvals to extend their liquor licence boundaries to include new outdoor dining spaces," Mr Anderson said.
In late 2022, the NSW Government also launched an advertising campaign called Kickstart Your Career in Hospitality, to encourage workers to the sector.
The program aims to help fill the estimated 50,000 vacant hospitality positions by highlighting the range of long-term career options throughout the industry and providing free short training courses for those entering the sector.
A Hospitality Concierge service is also now available to help new hospitality businesses start up or existing ones to grow by assisting businesses and local councils to navigate the liquor licensing and planning and regulatory changes introduced through the 24-Hour Economy reforms.
"This is about creating a supportive system to help the hospitality sector thrive by providing fast and efficient pathways to trouble-shoot and resolve issues affecting the industry," Mr Anderson said.
To visit the Concierge service, please visit https://www.liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au/operating-a-business/running-your-business/hospitality-concierge
For more information on extended trading or alfresco dining, please visit https://www.liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au/
