Hospitality & Tourism

The Hospitality & Tourism sector in the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula region is vibrant and essential—welcoming around 8 million visitors annually and injecting approximately A$1.8 billion into the local economy. It directly supports over 5,000 jobs across hotels, cafes, restaurants, events, tourism services, and entertainment venues

Whether you're interested in hands-on roles like chef, barista, front‑of‑house, or kitchen hand, or prefer guest services, event planning, tourism marketing, or resort management, there's a role to match your passion. From boutique wineries and coastal cafés to luxury resorts, festival events, and wellness retreats like Peninsula Hot Springs, the industry offers fast-paced, people-focused careers with strong training and progression opportunities. If you love meeting new people, delivering great experiences, and being part of a vibrant regional lifestyle, this industry offers a dynamic and rewarding career path.

NEW - FMP Careers Guide - Tourism & Hospitality

Why this industry matters locally

Hospitality & Tourism is one of the largest employers in our region, creating thousands of jobs and offering career opportunities for young people at every level — from entry-level casual work through to management, business ownership and global careers.

The Frankston & Mornington Peninsula tourism region welcomes approximately 7.9 million visitors every year, generating around $1.8 billion in visitor spending across accommodation, cafes, restaurants, wineries, events, retail, attractions and experiences.

Tourism supports approximately 13,500 local jobs across the wider visitor economy, making it one of the Peninsula’s major industries and a significant contributor to local employment opportunities for young people.

In the Mornington Peninsula Shire alone, Accommodation & Food Services employs more than 6,300 people, making it one of the top employment sectors in the region.

What types of jobs exist?

Students are often surprised at how many career pathways sit within Hospitality & Tourism.

Food & Hospitality Careers

  • Chef / Apprentice Chef

  • Cook / Kitchen Assistant

  • Barista

  • Front of House / Wait Staff

  • Restaurant Supervisor

  • Café or Restaurant Manager

  • Event Catering

  • Food Production & Specialty Products

Tourism & Visitor Experience Careers

  • Visitor Information Services

  • Tour Guide

  • Eco-Tourism & Adventure Tourism

  • Guest Experience Officer

  • Holiday Park & Resort Staff

  • Cruise & Ferry Tourism

  • Wellness & Spa Tourism

Events & Entertainment Careers

  • Event Planning & Coordination

  • Wedding & Function Management

  • Audio / Visual Support

  • Festival & Community Events

  • Sporting & Tourism Events

Accommodation Careers

  • Hotel & Resort Management

  • Reception & Concierge

  • Housekeeping Management

  • Guest Services

  • Reservations & Administration

Business, Marketing & Leadership Careers

  • Tourism Marketing

  • Social Media & Promotions

  • Human Resources

  • Hospitality Business Management

  • Sales & Business Development

Why this industry is great for students

Flexible entry points

Many young people begin with:

  • Casual café or restaurant work

  • School-based apprenticeships/traineeships

  • Work experience placements

  • Weekend or holiday employment

Earn while you learn

Students can often start earning income while completing school and continue into:

  • Apprenticeships (Chef, Cook, Hospitality)

  • TAFE qualifications

  • Traineeships

  • University pathways in Tourism, Business, Events or Hotel Management

Transferable life skills

Hospitality & Tourism develops skills employers value in every industry, including:
✔ Communication
✔ Teamwork
✔ Customer service
✔ Leadership
✔ Problem solving
✔ Confidence
✔ Time management