Tasmania’s Future Tourism Hinges on Sustainability, not Growth

As we put the experience of the world standing still during the pandemic behind us, tourism is back—but it’s not business as usual. In Tasmania, where natural beauty is the state’s greatest asset, the path forward is not simply about increasing visitor numbers.

It’s about ensuring tourism is sustainable, inclusive, and genuinely beneficial for people, place and planet.

A Green Island with Growing Pressures
Tourism has long been a pillar of Tasmania’s economy. According to Tourism Tasmania, tourism directly and indirectly contributes around $4.55 billion or 10.8 per cent to Tasmania’s Gross State Product (GSP). With lush temperate rainforests, dramatic coastlines, and UNESCO-listed wilderness areas, Tasmania sells itself as an eco-destination.

But this green image is increasingly being tested. Overcrowding in iconic spots like Wineglass Bay and Cradle Mountain, strain on infrastructure in small towns, and rising greenhouse gas emissions from visitor travel are surfacing as serious concerns. Many local communities, while welcoming of tourism’s economic benefits, are also asking: how much is too much?

The Tasmanian Government is responding with its 2030 Visitor Economy Strategy, a blueprint that signals a shift from volume to values. The plan sets out to grow visitor spending in ways that are “respectful of local communities, supportive of climate goals, and aligned with the protection of our natural and cultural heritage.”

Beyond the Bucket List
One of the central messages of the strategy is this: sustainability is not a side project—it’s the core of future tourism.

This means looking beyond crowded icons to support lesser-known regions. Think immersive walks in the Tarkine, dark sky tourism in the Central Highlands, or farm-to-table experiences in the Huon Valley. Dispersing visitor flows not only protects fragile ecosystems but also helps rural communities access tourism dollars.

The concept of “low-impact, high-value” tourism is gaining momentum. This doesn’t mean excluding backpackers or budget travelers. It means creating experiences that don’t cost the Earth, literally. Nature-based, culturally respectful, and carbon-conscious travel is now a selling point, not a sacrifice.

Carbon, Conservation, and Community
Tasmania is already one of the few places in the world with net zero emissions, thanks to its hydropower legacy and protected forests. But the aviation and transport footprint of tourism remains a challenge. With 80% of visitors arriving by air, decarbonizing the industry is essential.

Some operators are stepping up. Adventure tour companies are switching to electric vehicles. Lodges are investing in solar power, greywater recycling, and sustainable architecture. There’s even a growing trend of carbon-neutral or climate-positive stays, where emissions are offset through verified reforestation projects.

Meanwhile, community involvement is being emphasized like never before. Tourism Tasmania has launched co-design programs with local councils and Aboriginal communities to ensure the benefits of tourism are equitably shared, and culturally appropriate. Visitors are encouraged to travel like a local and to understand the stories, struggles, and strengths of the places they visit.

Lessons from the Past
The stakes are high. The 2024 State of the Environment Report—Tasmania’s first in over a decade—painted a stark picture: ecosystems under pressure, declining biodiversity, and invasive species rising. Tourism is not the sole cause, but it plays a role.

Without careful management, the very landscapes that attract visitors could be irreversibly damaged. Lessons from around the world, from Venice’s cruise ship ban to Bhutan’s high-yield-low-impact model, show that sustainability isn’t just good PR, it’s survival.

From Consumers to Custodians
The good news? Travelers are changing. More people are seeking meaningful, responsible experiences. According to Tourism Australia data, nearly 60% of domestic tourists are now factoring sustainability into their decisions.

This is a powerful opportunity for Tasmania. With its brand already rooted in nature and purity, the state can lead the nation in redefining what tourism success looks like, not just in revenue, but in regeneration.

The move from consumers to custodians, where both visitors and operators see themselves as caretakers of place, is underway.

A Regenerative Road Ahead
The future of Tasmanian tourism is not about resisting growth but rethinking it.

Growth that supports climate resilience, cultural integrity, and economic inclusion is possible and urgent.

Sustainability isn’t a niche market anymore. It’s the foundation for a thriving visitor economy that leaves Tasmania better than it found it.

As the island state navigates a post-pandemic world and a climate-challenged century, it has a chance to set a global example: that tourism, when done thoughtfully, can be a force for healing, not harm.

Manuel Diaz Jr is a sustainability student at the University of Tasmania.

He is a business analyst by profession, having worked across telecommunications, transport, education, and insurance in the public sector. He specialises in digital transformation as a means of driving sustainable innovation, helping organisations integrate environmentally responsible practices through technology-enabled solutions. 

Tasmanian Times (TT) is a community-based news and current affairs service covering the island state of Tasmania. It exists to provide a diverse view of Tasmanian issues. TT creates and supports independent media content utilising the best of modern technologies and tried-and-true practices of public-interest journalism.

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