Quicksilver cuts jobs
TOURISM
The ceasing of JobKeeper on 31 March; the never-ending COVID-19 pandemic; and international visitation at a virtual standstill, are among the reasons why pioneering reef tourism operator, the Quicksilver Group, has been forced to cut its workforce.
Established in Port Douglas in 1979, Quicksilver Cruises is Australia’s most awarded reef cruise operator. Quicksilver has cruised daily to Agincourt ribbon reef on the very outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef, and the idyllic coral island of Low Isles.
Company CEO Tony Baker said this has been an extremely challenging time.
“It has not only been tough for me, but also our management team and board of directors,” he said.
Baker said that international tourists accounted for 70 per cent of its revenue.
“International tourists engage in many activities. There has been some growth in the domestic market, but not enough,” said Baker.
Baker could not reveal how many staff will lose their jobs.
“We need to engage in a number of conversations with employees. The discussions involve a number of casual staff who have not had any work hours for a couple of months.
“I want to stress I am not in a position to say how many will lose their jobs as we have to work through a process,” said Baker who employs 450 people.
In recent times it has been operating at less than 50 per cent capacity.
In Port Douglas, Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said he is devastated by the news.
“I feel for those who have been struggling through the past 12 months, only for this to happen. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has not discriminated in the way it has affected our health, our livelihoods and our economy.
“Quicksilver is an iconic brand of this region and I fear this may be a sign of things to come. Many local businesses will be making more tough decisions to ensure they survive and give themselves the best ability to rebuild into the future when tourism returns.
“This is another example of why Council must move forward with its ideas on economic development with a hope to re-build job numbers in the shire,” said Kerr.
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