Tourism and hospitality sectors supported in preparing for new Spirit of Tasmania ships  

A grant program has been launched to support Tasmanian businesses and local councils prepare for the new Spirit of Tasmania ships.

Under the Fund, businesses can apply for grants of between $50,000 and $250,000 to create authentic Tasmanian experiences which respond to core and emerging visitor demand and directly contribute to the visitor economy.

Local councils can also apply for grants of between $100,000 and $500,000 to support key infrastructure investment in their local government areas to prepare for increases in visitation, and to improve the visitor experience for the caravan and motorhome visitor market.

Successful applicants to the Spirit Preparedness Fund will be required to match the requested grant amount.

Tasmanian Premier and Minister for Tourism, Jeremy Rockliff said it was important for the tourism and hospitality sector, especially in the North and North West, to be able to confidently prepare for the launch of the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels.

Premier Rockliff noted “we are taking strong action to back in the tourism and hospitality sector through our $27.8 million support package.

“The $5 million Spirit Preparedness Fund is part of this package, with grants available to support businesses to develop new products and offerings or enhance existing attractions, and to support councils to deliver key infrastructure.

“It is important that businesses and councils are prepared for when the new Spirits are in service.

In addition to this program, the Tasmanian Government is launching the Caravan and Motorhome Market Plan.

The plan identifies areas of investment to support the caravan and motorhome visitors that come on the Spirit of Tasmania and those that fly into the state and hire motorhomes.

“While 90% of our visitors come via air, those who come to Tasmania on the Spirit and explore the state in their caravan or motorhome travel further, stay longer and spend more,” added Premier Rockliff.

“National parks and local infrastructure are important in attracting and servicing visitors into our regions which is why, through our 2030 Visitor Economy Funding, we are investing an additional $5.5 million in infrastructure across our regions to support this market.”

Of this funding, the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service will receive $4.94 million to upgrade national park and reserve campgrounds and toilet facilities.

A number of local councils will share in $520,000 for traffic management and new dump sites where there is a high priority need identified in the Caravan and Motorhome Plan.

Finally, additional funding has been invested in the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania to support them in preparing tourism operators for the new opportunities that the ships will provide. A new educational module for operators will be launched in the coming weeks showcasing operators who cater to the caravan and motorhome market well, as well as how they can learn about what the visitor market is looking for when they travel.

Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania Chief Executive Amy Hills emphasised “ensuring our destination is well prepared for the new vessels and the visitors they will bring is critical. This ranges from ensuring we have the products and experiences on offer, but also that our roads, local government facilities and parks are well prepared.

"We must act now to complete these improvements and upgrades so we're ready when the new vessels arrive."

President of the Local Government Association Tasmania Mick Tucker added “The additional investment through this program is warmly welcomed by local government. Councils are the primary providers of the local infrastructure that supports visitation across our state. This is particularly the case for the caravan and motorhome market.

“And while all councils welcome increasing visitation to their local areas, this places additional burden on local infrastructure, and this is often in some of our smallest municipalities, whose rate base is limited. We expect the investment from this program to benefit both visitors and locals alike.”

Businesses and councils will have until 20th May to submit their applications.

Guidelines for the Spirit Preparedness Fund are now available 

Read the caravan and motorhome market plan 

Image. Concept for Spirit of Tasmania new ships