New Tourism Tasmania Visitor Economy Strategy secures $12 million backing

The Tasmanian Government and Tourism Tasmania in partnership with the state’s tourism and hospitality industry has launched an ambitious plan that strives to increase the visitor economy’s contribution and positive impact.

Aiming to further promote Tasmania as a destination, the 2030 Visitor Economy Strategy sets eight key directions to grow and manage the state’s visitor economy based on community, economy, environment, industry, visitors and Tasmania as a destination.

Launching the Strategy, Tasmanian Premier and Minister for Tourism, Jeremy Rockliff acknowledged tourism as one of the state’s great success stories.

Noting that the industry's future prosperity was critical for the state and how the Tasmanian Government has worked with industry to develop a new bold and ambitious plan to cement its future as a driver of jobs and our economy for decades to come, Premier Rockliff advised “our tourism industry supports over 37,000 jobs while adding billions to our economy, and with the industry once again thriving, this Strategy will lock in its future for the long term.”

"In recognition of the industry's contribution to our economy, we're today committing $12 million in new funding over three years to back immediate priorities outlined in the Strategy like boosting the workforce, attracting business events to Tasmania, a 10-year infrastructure plan and stimulating more private investment in tourism products.

"We know that our visitor economy will continue to grow, and that's why the 2030 Visitor Economy Strategy is both a plan for growth, and a plan to manage growth sustainably.

"We will deliver real outcomes to support tourism and hospitality operators to embrace Tasmania's net zero emissions future, aligned with our Tasmanian Climate Action Plan."

The strategy sets eight key directions to grow and manage our visitor economy based on making a positive impact to our community, economy, environment, industry, visitors and Tasmania as a destination.

The Chair of the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania (TICT), Daniel Leesong, said that in a number of areas, Tasmania will be leading the way nationally and forging its own unique path, adding “one of these will be in the emissions reduction program that the TICT will be leading, supported by the Tasmanian Government, to help operators understand their emissions profile and then reduce their footprint.

"Our workforce is our single most important asset, and as an industry we'll be ramping up efforts to invest in fit for purpose training, strengthen our ties with the tertiary education sector and try different ideas to tackle the lack of worker accommodation in regional areas.

"We want our industry to be seen as a valuable career choice for future generations of young Tasmanians and we need to do better."

Leesong said that the three-year Action Plan also launched today included clear steps that both the Government and industry will take to achieve the 2030 vision and both would be held accountable on their achievement.

The strategy is a joint development of the Tasmanian Government and Tasmania's tourism and hospitality industry through the T21 partnership and has been informed by industry and community consultation and growth forecasting.

Click here to view the 2030 Visitor Economy Strategy and Action Plan is available at www.tourismtasmania.com.au

Image on the cover of the 2030 Visitor Economy Strategy courtesy of Jason Charles Hill, The Candlestick, Cape Hauy.