Budget blues for Tasmania tourism
Peak national lobby group Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) has criticised a reduction in funding for Tourism Tasmania.
TTF said the $6.9 million reduction in funding for tourism marketing to support events would make it tough for Tasmania to grow its tourism industry in an increasingly competitive environment.
Funding for Tourism Tasmania has fallen from $30.6 million in 2010-11 to $24.9 in 2011-12, while events funding has been cut from $5.1 to $3.9 million. Funding for both will be further reduced next year.
“Tasmania’s tourism and events agencies are being asked to do more with less,†said TTF chief executive John Lee, “at a time when the latest figures show Tasmania’s visitor numbers are flat, with visitor nights down 6.0 per cent.â€
TTF said it also noted that Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife Service has had its budget allocation cut by $1.8 million for 2011-12 and the proposed creation of the Bay of Fires National Parks had been deferred.
Lee said there were some positives for the tourism industry, including the commitment to the Three Capes Track with $12.8 million in funding and the commitment of $1.4 million to bring AFL games to Tasmania.
Ian Jarrett
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