Three-quarters of Tasmanian’s tourism operators report business activity over this peak visitor period being up on the same time last year, as industry confidence levels reach unprecedented heights.

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania (TICT) today released the results of the first of two Tasmanian Tourism Industry Business Sentiment Surveys conducted each year asking operators across all sectors of the tourism industry about their own business performance, expectations for the future, and outlook for the industry.

TICT CEO, Luke Martin, said the tourism industry relied on high business confidence as much as any sector of the economy to ensure destinations remain fresh and vibrant.

‘Confidence fuels innovation in tourism by encouraging new operators to enter the industry with new products and experiences while encouraging existing operators to reinvest into their business,’ Mr Martin said.

‘It also means operators are employing more staff and creating more wealth in local economies.

Mr Martin said the survey results confirmed anecdotal reports of a strong summer peak visitor season across Tasmania;

• 74% of operators report business being up over summer compared to the same time the previous year
• 21% of these operators report their business being up by than 20% on last year
• Just 9% of operators report business activity being down on the same time last year
• Responses are consistent across all regions of the State.

Mr Martin said the results indicate industry performance had exceeded operators expectations for the summer from when they were asked in September last year.

Looking ahead, operators are optimistic for the strong business conditions to be maintained through the traditionally quieter autumn and winter seasons.

• 34% of operators expect business to be up this winter on last year
• 49% expect a similar winter
• 17% expect a softer winter than last year

‘Operators are generally very conservative in forecasting business activity of the quieter months, but this is a marketed improvement on recent years indicating the industry outlook over the traditional quieter months is improving.

When asked about their general outlook for the Tasmanian tourism industry;

• 40% of operators say they have a ‘Very Positive’ outlook for the industry
• 42% Somewhat Positive
• Just 3% are Somewhat Negative

‘This generates an extraordinary industry confidence index of 108 Points – a dramatic turn around from results in the 20s just three years ago.’

Mr Martin said the results confirmed the Tasmanian tourism industry had entered a unique period of positivity, and the challenge presented to sustain these business conditions.

‘We must not be complacent. The Tasmanian tourism industry has had purple patches like this before and we know conditions can turn just as quickly.

‘Our priorities must continue to be generating more air capacity to the State by working in partnership with their airlines, eye-catching marketing and supporting the development of new and exciting tourism products particularly in regional Tasmania.

‘To put things in context, if the industry was to achieve its goal of 1.5 million visitors to Tasmania by 2020, it would mean an additional $1 billion in visitor spending circulating the local economy each year, and an additional 8,000 tourism jobs created across the State.

Tasmania’s Tourism Industry – World Class, Sustainable, Job Creating…and we’re only getting started …

http://www.tict.com.au/

Download survey …

Tasmanian_Tourism_Industry_Sentiment_Survey_April_2015.pdf
TICT CEO, Luke Martin. http://www.tict.com.au/