Green light for Tasmania’s next tourism icons

Tourism Operators say the funding allocated in yesterday’s State Budget to complete the Three Capes Track, Tarkine Road, and Tasmania Museum & Art Gallery Redevelopment, gives the green light for three future icons of Tasmanian Tourism.

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania (TICT) Deputy Chairman, Dr James Cretan, said the Three Capes Track was the most exciting eco-tourism project under development anywhere in Australia.

“Three Capes will be truly world class. An iconic walking experience rivalling any comparable product in the World,” Dr Cretan said.

“There is nothing like it under development anywhere in Australia, and we applaud Premier Lara Giddings for backing the project, and our vision for Tasmania to be a global leader in adventure and nature based tourism.”

TICT Director, Tourism Accommodation Australia President, and Circular Head Tourism Operator, Mr John Dabner, said the $10 million allocation in this year’s budget for construction works on the Tarkine Forest Road was a shot in the arm for regional tourism.

“The Tarkine Forest Road is the catalyst for the Tarkine to emerge as major tourism destination,” Mr Dabner said.

“We need the road to provide visitor access to the region, which will encourage tourism operators with vision to go into the area and provide the facilities and experiences that visitors to this part of Tasmania expect.”

The TICT also welcomed the investment to complete the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, bringing new life to TMAG and to compliment the remarkable success of MONA.

TICT CEO Luke Martin said the industry acknowledged that in an extremely challenging budget climate, protecting the State’s Marketing Expenditure and boosting events funding was a significant commitment from the Government.

“Obviously we will continue to lobby for further investment in the State’s marketing budget to ensure we can continue to compete in a very tough visitor market,” Mr Martin said.

“Tourism marketing is one area of Government expenditure that delivers a direct financial return to the Tasmanian economy through growing visitor numbers and spending in our hospitality, retail and transport sectors.”

“So it is important the Government has moved to protect the marketing budget from any cuts, and ensure tourism spending is in the areas that will deliver maximum return to our industry and the broader Tasmanian economy.”