Accommodation Australia has secured a AU$10 million federal government grant to create a one-stop digital hub for hospitality, tourism and travel.

The Austrade grant, secured last week, will be used to develop and promote the platform over the next three years and into the future.

“The employment platform will be a one-stop shop for people across the visitor economy in the hospitality, tourism and travel sectors,” said Accommodation Australia CEO Michael Johnson.

“It will allow employers, existing and prospective workers, students and international visitors to connect to education, employment and other vital career information.

“This will help with our two biggest challenges by boosting the hospitality, tourism and travel workforce and promoting careers in the industry for the next generations to come.”

Respected manager James Lawton has been hired to spearhead the project. With a family history in hotels and hospitality, Lawton brings experience in project management and finance, including in at businesses such as with iPlatforms and American Express.

Johnson thanked the Australian Government for its funding and support of the project and welcomed Lawton to the role.  

“Now we have received the grant and appointed James as project manager, we are all systems go,” Johnson said.