Tasmanian tourism conference

The Tasmanian Greens today highlighted the need for a more aggressive effort to promote Tasmania’s natural advantages into national and international markets.

Greens Tourism spokesperson Tim Morris MP today welcomed the focus on sustainable development at today’s Tourism Industry Council conference in Launceston, but warned that the call for exclusive private developments in National Parks was not the right approach.

“The focus on sustainable tourism is a great opportunity for the industry to discuss opportunities to make the most of our growing global brand as the clean, green and clever state,” Mr Morris said.

“I am unfortunately unable to attend the conference, but the Greens are well represented by Senator Whish-Wilson, who brings first-hand knowledge of the importance of Tasmania’s brand for small businesses.”

“It has been extremely pleasing to see cash registers of tourism businesses in southern Tasmania ringing loudly in recent months, and the next step is to focus on how we can consolidate and broaden that success.”

“Part of the answer is to market Tasmania’s natural advantages far more aggressively than we do currently into national and international markets.”

“The answer is not, as some are proposing, to open up National Parks for the exclusive benefit of a handful of private developers.”

“Tasmania’s magnificent, unspoiled wilderness is one of our biggest drawcards, and handing over parts of our National Parks for the benefit of a small number of private developers will ultimately kill the goose that lays golden egg.”

“Some try to paint National Parks as a roadblock to development, but the fact is that Tasmania’s parks are a major economic driver that benefits the state as a whole, and not just a select few.”

“There are endless opportunities for developments in and around existing communities near to our National Parks and World Heritage Area, and that’s where the focus needs to be.”

“The Cradle Mountain Lodge is a great example of a development just outside a National Park, which benefits massively from its proximity to a reserve but does not damage its values.”

“A neglected area in the debate over the potential for tourism is the urgent job creation need that will be resolved by of investing in local business and communities on the perimeter of our parks.”
Tim Morris MP Greens Tourism Spokesperson