THE HON BOB BALDWIN MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR TOURISM
SHADOW MINISTER FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

SENATOR THE HON RICHARD COLBECK
SENATOR FOR TASMANIA
SHADOW PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR FISHERIES AND FORESTRY
SHADOW PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR INNOVATION, INDUSTRY AND SCIENCE

LOCAL ‘STAYCATION’ LAUNCH HIGHLIGHTS CRISIS IN TASMANIAN TOURISM

Australian Shadow Tourism Minister Bob Baldwin called on Tasmanians to take a “staycation”, with further evidence emerging of an outbound tourism crisis facing Australia.

A record 8 million Australians are now travelling overseas each year instead of “holidaying at home” (up from 7.4 million last year).

While inbound Australian tourism has grown slowly over the last decade from around 5 million to 6 million annually, there has been a boom in outbound tourism from 5 million to 8 million visitors.

“Inbound tourism growth is encouraging but the government hasn’t done enough to help Tasmania attract these visitors down from the mainland,” Mr Baldwin said.

Like Senator Colbeck, I continue to champion the Passenger Equalisation Scheme and the Freight Equalisation Scheme to the Shadow Transport Minister – who is alert to the unique needs of this state.

Mr Baldwin and the Tasmanian Liberal Senate Team are vocal critics of the carbon tax – a tax that will affect Tasmania even more than other states, given it is dependent on air and sea transport for intra-national travel.

The Spirit of Tasmania has introduced a carbon tax surcharge which has seen the cost of a return trip, for a family of four with a car, increase by $36. Senior Labor Ministers were unaware of this impact until it was pointed out to them by the Tasmanian Liberal Senate Team.

“It is cheaper to fly to Tasmania and lease a caravan, Senator Colbeck said.

“But the hassle of sending over bedding, cooking appliances and other equipment necessary for a round-Australia road trip means that Tasmania is off the itineraries for most Aussies contemplating the great Australian road trip.

“It’s no wonder Tasmania doesn’t appear on the Grey Nomads Australia logo,” Senator Colbeck said.

Mr Baldwin said the CRVA’s research (attached) proved that rising costs were the chief reason that Tasmanian tourism is doing it tough.

“The future of the Tasmanian road-trip is by no means secure.

And the tragedy of this is that so much work has gone in to developing world class attractions and the state’s reputation as a premier destination for gourmet food and wine tourism. This is very much based on regional touring.

“Already behind the 8-ball given Tasmania’s geographic separation from the mainland, regional tourism would be ruined for the simple fact that the exemption to the carbon tax for heavy vehicles would cease to operate from 2014, if Labor is re-elected. This should concern any tour group operating gourmet food and wine road trips – and the hotels and motels these tourists stay at.

“When mainlanders think about wild West Coast that lies beyond the brooding Tasman Sea, we think the quintessential road trip. We think of the hidden gems, the cottage industries like cheesemakers or truffle farming, cider brewer or world’s best crayfishing or abalone fishing.

“We are excited by the prospect of unexpected scenery, secluded lakes and opportunities for fishing or relaxing at a local pub warmed by a log fire. Yet at every turn the government has stifled industry – such as forestry fisheries, and the results are beginning to show.

“Only in the past month the travel press has reported grey nomads opting to leave Australia for destinations in South East Asia. This was formerly a segment of the Australian market that could always be relied on to favour domestic holidays over outbound tourism, Mr Baldwin said.

Mr Baldwin praised Qantas both for its recent announcement of additional flights to Tasmania, and for its strong promotion of the state’s attractions in this month’s Spirit of regional Australia – http://www.endless-summer.com.au/editions.asp – in-flight magazine.

Mr Baldwin acknowledged the corporate support given by Qantas to the Coalition’s www.staycation.org.au initiative, and thanked the airline for its specific attention to assisting Tasmanian tourism.

Download:
09082012_Attitudes_Towards_Tasmania.pdf

More information:

1. www.staycation.org.au

2. http://www.bobbaldwin.com.au/articles/latest-media-releases/shadow-portfolio-regional-development-and-tourism/record-number-of-aussies-holidaying-overseas

3. http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/latestProducts/3401.0Media%20Release1Jun%202012

4. http://www.etravelblackboardasia.com/article/85238/grey-nomads-leave-aus-for-south-east-asia

5. http://www.endless-summer.com.au/editions.asp
Bob Baldwin, Richard Colbeck