The Hodgman Liberal Government’s plan for the Spirits of Tasmania is reaping dividends with a massive 17 per cent increase in forward bookings leading to a decision by TT-Line to add an extra 16 day sailings this summer.
We want the Spirits to play a leading role in helping to achieve our vision of 1.5 million visitors a year to Tasmania by 2020, and they are doing just that.
The increase in forward bookings for November through January compared to the same period last year shows visitors and Tasmanians alike are excited by the “new” Spirits after their refurbishments.
This strong growth in market demand has seen the additional day sailings added to an already increased schedule for January through March, bringing the total number of day sailings to 121 for the current financial year.
That represents 50 per cent more sailings than in 2013-14, just two years ago.
The Liberal Government has refocused TT-Line on growing passenger numbers and this has delivered results.
In 2014-15, its first full year of operations under this Government, TT-Line recorded an eight per cent increase in passengers.
The Spirits have been refurbished to enhance the day sailing experience, with a contemporary design of the upper decks adding new food and entertainment areas.
Today’s news of even more day sailings being added on the back of growing demand is a vote of confidence in Tasmania’s tourism industry and in the Government’s policy.
This is particularly good news for regional tourism because we know that visitors arriving on the Spirits are a major part of the self-drive market.
Rene Hidding, Minister for Infrastructure
