Tourism Tasmania Report JOHN FITZGERALD CEO, Tourism Tasmania
visitors for their revenue, as well as the other businesses who provide trade, professional, catering and other services to our tourism and hospitality operators. There is also a growing demand for Tasmania coming from international visitors. The latest figures from the International Visitor Survey showed a record 224 000 international visitors coming to Tasmania last financial year. This is 13 per cent more than the same period a year ago and the highest number of international visitors we’ve ever recorded. Once again, our Asian markets, the USA and Europe performed well for us during the year. I recently returned from the Tasmania Trade Mission to India where I hosted an event for key travel partners. There is no doubt that some in the Indian market are enthusiastic about the opportunities that Tasmania provides for their Australian bound clients. During the event I presented a destination update and interviewed Tasmanian Ambassador, Ricky Ponting, over lunch about his love for Tasmania. As if this wasn't daunting enough, it turned into quite a media event, so I had to perform in front of the cameras with one of the greatest cricketers of all time. I have to say it went well, but it was a pretty high pressure environment. Ricky Ponting was excellent. His knowledge of the state, our people and our experiences is admirable
Firstly, I would like to congratulate all the award winners from the Tasmanian Hospitality Association annual Awards for Excellence. The evening certainly highlighted the high calibre of products within our hospitality industry. Also, my congratulations goes to the three Tasmanian operators, Frogmore Creek Winery, Beltana Hotel and Shoreline Hotel, who were named the best in the country in their categories at the AHA National Awards for Excellence last month. It is these type of award winning experiences that are attracting more visitors to our state, and seeing them return for more. The figures for the 2015-16 financial year published last month revealed positive news, with the number of visitors, their spending and length of stay in Tassie all growing. Not only did we see a two per cent increase in visitor numbers compared with the previous financial year, but they also stayed longer and spent more while they were in Tasmania. I was especially pleased to see that our visitors spent just over $2.05 billion during 2015-16, or around nine per cent more than the year before. This level of spending is very positive for our visitor economy and the 5 818 businesses throughout our cities and regional towns that, according to Tourism Research Australia, rely either solely or partly on
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Hospitality Review
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