Media release – Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania, 14 March 2025
Flinders Island tourism seeking boost
Flinders Island offers a unique visitor experience that is as spectacularly wild and rugged as the people are warm and welcoming.
However, the island encounters the same issues of worker accommodation shortage and lack of infrastructure as other parts of regional Tasmania. The challenges on Flinders Island are magnified given access issues and lack of transport options.
Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania CEO Amy Hills is calling on support from all candidates in the upcoming federal election to ensure the tourism industry has an appropriately skilled workforce.
“One in eight Tasmanians are employed in the visitor economy. That’s 13 per cent of all jobs,” Ms Hills said.
“The lack of suitable worker accommodation is also a critical barrier to regional operators being able to source staff.”
Flinders Island offers activities all year round, from walking and fishing to combing beaches and witnessing some of the most unique coastline.
It also hosts the Furneaux Islands Festival which celebrates island community, culture, food and music with a series of events over three days, as well as the successful Wilderfeast.
In September the Flinders Island Running Festival features the 26km half marathon Pub-to-Pub run and the 5km fun run/walk, and October has the Flinders Island Show.
The Tourism Industry Council is calling for a festivals and events sustainability strategy to attract and support events, particularly in regional areas like Flinders Island.
“Events are an important way of driving visitors to more remote areas of Tasmania. Visitors can then stay and enjoy everything that place has to offer, such as spectacular Flinders Island,” Ms Hills said.
(L-R): Larni Davies (TICT), Jo Youl (Flinders Island Wharf Restaurant), Amy Hills (TICT).
