HOSPITALITY UNDER PRESSURE
Costs, Supply Chains and Operational Resilience
Featuring the Hon Emily Bourke MLC
Minister for Tourism
Minister for Climate, Environment and Water
Tuesday, 4 August 2026
Adelaide, South Australia
Time and venue to be confirmed
Event Overview
South Australia’s hospitality sector plays a vital role in the state’s visitor economy, employment, investment, regional development and community life.
However, hospitality businesses are operating in an increasingly demanding environment. Rising operating costs, workforce shortages, energy prices, insurance premiums, food and beverage costs, supply chain disruption, regulatory obligations and changing customer expectations are placing sustained pressure on business margins and operational capacity.
Hospitality Under Pressure will bring together government, hospitality operators, tourism leaders, suppliers and business decision-makers to examine the pressures affecting the sector and the practical measures required to strengthen its resilience.
The event will consider how hospitality businesses can protect operational continuity, adapt their business models and remain competitive while continuing to provide the quality experiences for which South Australia is recognised.
Why this Discussion Matters
Hospitality resilience is not simply about responding to emergencies.
It involves the ability of a business to anticipate disruption, maintain essential operations, manage increasing costs, retain skilled employees, protect supply arrangements, adapt to changing market conditions and recover quickly when disruption occurs.
A resilient hospitality sector also supports:
Jobs and workforce participation
Tourism and major events
Regional and metropolitan economies
Local food, beverage and agricultural producers
Hotels, restaurants, cafés, bars and entertainment venues
South Australia’s national and international reputation
Investment in accommodation and visitor experiences
Vibrant communities and main streets
Key Discussion Areas
The event will examine:
Escalating food, beverage, labour, energy and insurance costs
Protecting margins without weakening the customer experience
Workforce availability, skills, retention and migration
Food and beverage supply chain vulnerabilities
Local procurement and supplier diversification
Energy security and operational continuity
Digital systems, payment platforms and booking technology
Cybersecurity and data protection
Business interruption and emergency planning
Changing tourism and consumer demand
The role of events in supporting hospitality activity
Collaboration between government, industry and suppliers
Practical resilience measures for hospitality operators
Featured Speaker
The Hon Emily Bourke MLC is South Australia’s Minister for Tourism and Minister for Climate, Environment and Water.
This event will provide an opportunity to hear about the relationship between tourism, hospitality, major events, business conditions and South Australia’s broader visitor economy.
Who Should Attend
This event is relevant to:
Hotel owners and operators
Restaurant, café, bar and venue operators
Accommodation providers
Tourism operators
Major event organisers
Hospitality industry associations
Food and beverage producers
Distributors and supply chain businesses
Energy, insurance and technology providers
Local and state government representatives
Property owners and hospitality investors
Business continuity and risk professionals
Workforce, training and migration organisations
Professional advisers
Event Format
The event is proposed to include:
Opening remarks from C4R - CENTRE FOR RESILIENCE
Address by the Hon Emily Bourke MLC
Industry panel discussion
Moderated questions and answers
Audience discussion
Professional networking
Registration
Places will be limited.
Register to receive the confirmed venue, event time, programme and speaker information.