Tasmania’s booming visitor economy bolstered in State Budget

Tasmania’s record-breaking tourism run looks set to continue with the Tasmanian Government’s ongoing commitment to growing the State’s visitor economy in its 2018-19 Budget, the Tourism & Transport Forum Australia (TTF) said today.

TTF Chief Executive, Margy Osmond, congratulated the Hodgman Government on delivering the funding needed to further develop tourism as a key long-term driver of economic and jobs growth across the State.

“The continued economic turnaround that has seen the Tasmanian Government post a $75 million surplus in this Budget is in no small part due to the tourism boom that last year saw more than 1.3 million domestic and international tourists visit Tassie,” Ms Osmond said.

“There is no doubt that tourism is growing into one of the key pillars of the Tasmanian economy, and this Budget recognises that for the true economic potential of tourism to be realised then there needed to be significant and ongoing investment in the sector.

“TTF has been a vocal advocate of greater investment in destination marketing and it is pleasing to see the Tasmanian Government has embraced this message by providing an additional $12 million over the forward estimates to allow Tourism Tasmania to more effectively sell Tasmania to Australia and the world.

“The $72 million in funding to implement the Cradle Mountain masterplan is fantastic news for what is already considered a world-class visitor experience, and will draw significantly more tourists to the north of the State.

“The $20 million commitment to deliver Tasmania’s next iconic multi-day, hut-based walk will further enhance the State’s reputation as the nature-based tourism capital of Australia.

“Tasmania is famed for its driving holidays, and the initial $58 million in funding to improve Tasmania’s iconic tourism roads, the single biggest investment ever in visitor road infrastructure in the State’s history, is also an investment in growing the State’s visitor economy and is warmly welcomed.

“Tasmania is well and truly in the midst of a tourism renaissance with last year seeing the State significantly outstrip the rest of the nation in the growth of international visitors and spending.

“Through this Budget the Tasmanian Government has embraced the potential of tourism to create jobs and grow the visitor economy.”