The Hodgman Liberal Government has a Plan to attract 1.5 million visitors a year which the industry says will create 8,000 new jobs.
Tasmania’s world-class natural environment is a key part of our Plan to grow tourist numbers and the latest visitation figures to our Parks shows 52,000 more visitors in 2014-15.
Freycinet National Park was once again our most visited park, up 15,000 visitors on last year to 232,000. Lake St Clair was the standout recording the biggest increase in visitor numbers with an extra 16,000 people visiting compared to the previous financial year. And compared to the previous two years, Mount Field recorded a staggering 47 per cent increase, which is an extra 47,000 visitors.
The international spotlight is now on Tasmania. We have what the world wants and our brand and reputation continues to go from strength to strength.
Last week, the Lonely Planet travel website released its Ultimate Travelist for the world’s top 500 sights for 2015. On this list were Tasmania’s iconic Cradle Mountain and the sensational Port Arthur Historic Site.
This additional exposure and the increased visitation being experienced support the need for a range of initiatives the Government is undertaking to make Tasmania’s Parks more accessible and more inviting.
We are building on our world-class reputation through our EOI process, the $8m Parks High Priority Infrastructure Fund, the online sale of Parks passes and additional track upgrades, which are allowing for more Tasmanians and visitors to enjoy our natural environment to the greatest extent possible.
We want to make it easier for more Tasmanians and visitors to experience our unique, world class natural assets and enhance their visitor experience through a range of recreational and tourism experiences.
This Government is delivering on our commitment to grow our tourism industry together with jobs, growth and opportunities for Tasmanians, in particular those in our regional areas.
Financial Year Freycinet Cradle Mountain Mount Field Tasman Arch Lake St Clair Mole Creek Karst Narawntapu (western entrance) Hastings Cave & Thermal Pool Tamar Island Wetlands Maria Island Overland Track
2013/14 217,000 184,000 141,000 138,000 69,000 49,000 44,000 40,000 26,000 19,000 8,000
2014/15 232,000 190,000 147,000 141,000 85,000 51,000 44,000 39,000 31,000 19,000 8,000
Matthew Groom, Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage
