ARTICLE Will Hodgman
It is a priority of the majority Liberal Hodgman Government to ensure that even more Tasmanians and their communities benefit from the jobs and economic growth generated by our strong visitor economy. Our plan to boost visitation and the benefits visitors bring for all Tasmanians is working and 2018 has certainly delivered many highlights for the tourism and hospitality industry. All four regions of the state experienced growth in total visitor numbers this year, with latest figures showing a record 1.3 million visitors spent more than $2.4 billion in Tasmania. It has been great to participate in the opening of many new developments, including Peppers Silo Hotel in Launceston, the Spirit of the Wild boat operated by Gordon River Cruises, the Three Capes Lodge Walk and the Wine Wall in Richmond. There are too many new products to name them all, but it was fantastic to see the high-level of private investment in the sector this year. We know that new products and experiences are key drawcards for visitors and they encourage repeat visitation. The Government has again worked hard to deliver for the sector in 2018. Last month we launched the new Western Wilds drive journey, which will get visitors off the beaten track and exploring more of Tasmania’s spectacular west. Projects like this are key to our plan to encourage tourists to spend more time in regional areas. The Western Wilds builds on the success of the Great Eastern Drive , which has delivered a 20 per cent increase in visitors to the East Coast. Based on the success of this initiative, we’re providing even more funding to further improve the road infrastructure on this route. We’re delivering on our commitment to transform Cradle Mountain into a new world-class experience, committing more than $56.8 million into the Master Plan, in addition to securing Federal Government funding for the project. We’re getting on with the job and recently released the Dove Lake Viewing Shelter Development Proposal and Environmental Impact Statement for public comment. Our plan to further boost Tasmania’s reputation for world-class eco- tourism products is progressing and a key activity has been the launch of an Expressions of Interest process to discover our Next Iconic Walk . The Government will invest up to $20 million in a new multi-day, hut- based walk, and we have extended the deadline for submissions due to massive interest across the State. In September we launched the new $4 million Events Attraction Fund , to build an even stronger calendar of events across the state. The fund will help to ensure Tasmania hosts a broad range of events throughout the year, which ensure every region benefits from this
investment. I’m proud to say we have already announced two significant events that have received support under the new fund. We have secured the Special Olympics events in 2020 and 2022, and a five-year deal for the Australian Musical Theatre Festival ; both of which will be held in Launceston. We also led a successful mission to China , which has opened new opportunities to increase trade, boost investment and create new jobs in regional Tasmania. Nine of our biggest export markets are in Asia and China recently became our first ever $1 billion export market. China accounts for the majority of international visitors to Tasmania and contributes significantly to the $2.4 billion that tourists now spend each year in this State. We also welcomed record visitor numbers to our Parks , with visitation increasing 7 per cent to 1.4 million visits. The Government’s vision is for Tasmania to be the environmental tourism capital of the world and these figures show our Plan is working. Our National Parks support 200 nature-based tourism operators who create thousands of jobs for Tasmanians, and we are investing more than $65 million in the management of our parks and reserves to protect our wilderness assets and provide even more opportunities for people to visit our natural areas. The Government absolutely rejects the notion of tourism levies or bed taxes, which would only serve to send a message to visitors that we don’t want you here. A tax would also unfairly punish businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector. Instead, we’re committed to supporting you and your businesses. Our focus on yield and dispersal will help to identify opportunities for further growth and development across the State, and will enable us to make sure we have the right infrastructure and developments taking place to not only manage growth, but also draw visitors into regional areas. TASMANIA’S ECONOMY IS BOOMING AND OUR VISITOR ECONOMY IS ONE OF THE MAJOR DRIVERS OF THAT GROWTH. My Government has been a strong supporter of the sector and worked hard, in conjunction with industry, to promote growth. I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate the THA for the support it has provided to industry throughout the year, and acknowledge the efforts of President Paul Jubb and the Board, and CEO Steve Old and his team. As we head in to what is typically the busiest time of year for our tourism and hospitality operators, I wish you the very best for the future and congratulate you on a job well done in 2018.
December 2018 www.tha.asn.au
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