Workers MIA: an unsteady ski season looms

The ski season should be fairly brisk, but staff shortages are emerging as a critical issue for winter tourists (Image: BusinessDesk)

Brent Melville

Mon, 02 May 2022

A chronic absence of skilled staff remains Queenstown-Lakes district’s biggest impasse to recovery as it gears up to welcome back Australian visitors this winter.Pre-covid, the alpine resort employed about 5,500 migrant workers, backpackers and 'working visitors', but has lost about 2,500 of those during the pandemic response.Queenstown Lakes mayor Jim Boult said the result is a major lack of workers at "almost every level"."More restaurants and hospitality businesses have 'help wanted' on their windows than...

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