Tourism Tassie’s $16m tourism marketing plan causes some local concerns
With Tourism Tasmania launching a massive tourism plan spending $16m on promoting the State, some operators are concerned that the $16 million will be chewed up in a “talkfest”.
The State Government released the plan last week, receiving the full backing and support of Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania, with over $4m being allocated to support regional operators through a grants programme and $400,000 to encourage intrastate tourism.
The latest travel figures indicate visitors are spending less time in the State and fewer tourists are venturing out of major cities, shrinking the bottom line of operators in outlying areas.
Reports in The Examiners say that Launceston Tamar Valley Tourism Association Chairman Peter Neilson said that tourist attractions felt a greater pinch than accommodation providers when fleeting visitors entered the State.
Mr Neilson said some operators in the Tamar Valley had suffered a downturn of more than 10 per cent because tourists flew in for short-term attractions such as AFL games and didn’t venture beyond Launceston.
“We need to be marketing packages that say `Come to Launceston for the AFL and then stay a bit longer and have a river cruise and go to a winery,”‘ he said.
Seahorse World General Manager Georgina Wylde commended the Government’s plan, saying it would provide regional operators with better financial security.
Ms Wylde said the opportunity for businesses to develop joint marketing campaigns with the Government was particularly welcome because other programmes required too much investment for some operators to afford.
“They’ve left some money aside too, which is good because then the money is there for a quick response rather than having to try to find it later on,” she said.
However, some inland businesses in the State’s East are worried that too much of the investment will be spent in discussion.
Greater Esk Tourism Committee secretary Carol Grey said the theory behind the plan was good but action was needed to improve the image of outlying towns including Avoca, Rossarden and Royal George.
“The Fingal Valley gets bypassed on tourism maps – we have high-quality B&Bs, fantastic walking tracks and great fishing in the valley, which never get a mention,” Ms Grey said.
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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