What a fantastic start to spring we've had - It was great to see so many of you at the Tourism Tasmania Roadshows in Stanley and Queenstown, as well as during site visits across the region.
The Tourism Industry Council Tasmania (TICT) has introduced a new page on their website called the ‘Spirit Spotlight,’ featuring regular updates on the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels. Be sure to keep an eye on HERE for the latest news.
Nominations for the Tourism Champion and Tourism Minister's Young Achiever awards are now open, and we encourage you to put forward deserving individuals before 16 October. It’s a great opportunity to recognise those making a difference in our industry — nominate now!
We're also thrilled to have three operators from our region nominated in the Tasmanian Tourism People's Choice Award - eGuide, King Island Distillery and Kittawa Lodge. Show your support by voting and going into the draw to win a $1,000 travel voucher HERE.
The Tasmanian Government’s 2024-25 State Budget has just been announced, with an additional $31 million allocated to the tourism sector over the next four years. This includes $12 million to support the 2030 Visitor Economy Strategy, aimed at managing and growing tourism sustainably. The budget also includes a $50 million Regional Tourism Loan Scheme, providing low-interest loans to support businesses in regional areas.
The upcoming cruise season will see 16 ships visiting, despite a reduction that has impacted several regional ports, including Burnie. We recently collaborated with Tourism Tasmania and TasPorts to host seven shore excursion operators and cruise line representatives, giving them a firsthand experience of the North West and the unique offerings of our region, positioning us well for future itineraries and growth.
Lastly, there are some fantastic regional Digital Ready social media and OffSeason workshops coming up, and we encourage you to register to attend.
Photo | Devonport winning the National Top Tourism Town. (left to right) | Susan Foster (Devonport City Council), Amy Hills (TICT), Linda Petersen (Devonport City Council) and Gabriella Conti (WxNW)
Tasmanian Tourism Snapshot
Year Ending June 2024
The latest Tourism Snapshot including the latest visitor data for June 24 quarter has been released.
Key insights:
In the June quarter of 2024, there was an 8.8% increase in visitation to Tasmania compared to the same quarter last yearwith 289,000 interstate and international visitors continuing to make strong contributions to the state’s economy, spending over $720m in our state.
Across the 12 months to June 2024 visitors spent $3.478 billion - down 9.7 per cent on the previous 12 months, but up 39% from 2019 with 1.302 million.
Tasmanians also spent an additional $1.8 billion on intrastate trips, making an important economic boost to operators, particularly in our regional areas.
Accommodation operators are invited to contact Jacqueline (jchoo@str.com) to access your own bespoke report and contribute anonymously to industry insights and monitoring.
Join TICT and your industry colleagues in celebrating the outstanding businesses that have entered this year's Tasmanian Tourism Awards! Bring along your staff, colleagues, friends, and family to recognise your incredible contribution to the industry!
Delve deeper into the art and science of crafting compelling brand stories and translating them into impactful website content. Designed for intermediate learners, this workshop will equip you with advanced strategies and techniques to elevate your brand's online presence and drive meaningful engagement.
Content Capturing specific workshop| How to capture scroll-stopping Images and create a Reel—all with your phone!
Digital Ready Coach, Kirsty Dryburgh from Social Bothy will deliver four fun, hands-on workshops designed specifically for tourism businesses. In this session, you will learn to:
capture scroll-stopping images and reels—all with your phone!
Use easy and effective techniques to create great content
IMPORTANT NOTE: A basic understanding of Instagram and a business Instagram account is required, please reach out to Sarah (sarah@wxnw.com.au) if you are unsure this workshop will be suitable for you.
Each workshop is limited to 10 participants to ensure a positive and personalised experience for everyone.
2024 Tasmanian Tourism Awards Gala
Tourism Industry Council Tasmania invites you to join them in celebrating the best of Tasmanian tourism at the 2024 Tasmanian Tourism Awards Gala!
The night is all about highlighting the outstanding tourism operators who have entered the Awards and recognising their efforts to always strive for excellence – the ‘Shoot for the Stars’ mindset. Tasmania goes above and beyond other states in many ways, but especially in tourism. The value of our industry to the state is profound. All of this, and more, will be showcased at the Awards Gala – and we can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Tourism Tasmania is inviting tourism operators to submit their 2025 Off Season offers or events early to have the best chance of being considered for inclusion in the campaign's marketing activities next year.
The agency will also host Off Season workshops in early November to help operators create their offers and prepare for the Off Season. More info on this to come soon, so stay turned!
Devonport Location: Paranaple Convention Centre Date: Wednesday 6 November 2024 Time: 2pm - 5pm Register here
Strahan Location: TBC Date: Thursday 7 November 2024 Time: 12:30pm - 3:30pm Register here
Accommodation, Cafes and Restaurant providers in North West Tasmania
We need your help to capture data to understand how many visitors get drawn to our region over the Tulip Festival month.
Please share the survey link with your guests, to sweeten the deal they will go in the draw to win a Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Voucher for 2 adults.
What you need to do:
Print and display poster at reception/shopfront with easy QR code HERE
The Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania (TICT) and the Tasmanian Hospitality Association (THA) have commenced a joint initiative to develop a discussion paper on the workforce housing and accommodation needs of our industries. In order to do this, they need a more detailed understanding of the extent and nature of the issue and the workforce housing and accommodation challenges that you face.
You are being asked to please take the next 5 minutes to provide your feedback via the below survey by October 11 2024.
The Small Business Advice and Financial Guidance Program supports Tasmanian small businesses to be flexible, innovative and efficient. It provides eligible small businesses with access to specialist financial services or business support to assist in their growth, transition, business recovery from unexpected events or application of management strategies. Successful applicants will receive a grant of between $1,000 and $1,500 to obtain financial or business guidance services
All Tasmanian business owners, managers, marketers or representatives are welcome to participate. All you need to be is a registered Tasmanian business with an ABN. The confidential coaching sessions are tailor-made to your business by our skilled coaches, they run for up to 4 hours and are free of charge. Coaching sessions can be delivered in person or remotely via Zoom or phone.
The Tasmanian Business Advice Service provides free business advice to Tasmanian small businesses. Experienced advisors can help you with a wide variety of topics.
VXT is a purpose-built organisation, providing training in the hospitality and tourism industry. Visit their website for upcoming training courses in our region.
The First Nations Tourism Mentoring Program (FNTMP) is a free mentoring program for First Nations tourism businesses across Australia. It supports businesses to grow and achieve their goals by connecting them with skilled, experienced and culturally respectful tourism industry specialists who can provide one-on-one guidance, advice and support.
The Championships Grant supports eligible event organisers of championship and sporting events that attract more than 100 people staying a minimum of three nights.
The $50 million Regional Tourism Development Loan Scheme is now open for applications. The scheme is available to promote investment in tourism products and experiences that stimulate regional tourism and dispersal in Tasmania. Loans are available between $100,000 and $3 million. The scheme will open for applications until 2pm, 30 June 2026 or until all funding has been utilised, whichever occurs first.
Through the support of the Tasmanian Government, the TICT is supporting tourism businesses in reducing their emissions by matching eligible tourism operators with one of two programs over 2023 and 2024.
Touring grants of up to $20 000 are available to eligible organisers of auto, motorbike, cycle or walking tours in Tasmania during the winter and shoulder season. Funding is based on the number of interstate or international participants staying in paid commercial accommodation for five nights or more, with 40 percent or more of the tour being held in regional areas.
The Scheme will provide no-interest loans of between $500 and $10,000 over three years to eligible households, residential landlords, small businesses and community organisations for funding investment in energy-efficient products.
The scheme provides small, interest-free loans of up to $3 000 to people on low incomes who want to start their own business or grow an existing one.
The Cultural Tourism Accelerator Program A $5 million targeted measure announced by the Australian Government as part of the Regional Arts Tourism package. There are four grants available under this program. See website for more detail.
Most local councils offer their own grant programs. Check your local council website for further information.
For more detail on grants and funding, you can ring the Business Tasmania helpline any time on 1800 440 026 or email ask@business.tas.gov.au.
If you know of anybody who would like to receive tourism updates from WxNW, please forward this email and encourage them to subscribe HERE. Note this mailing list has been drawn from ATDW, council websites, correspondence to date and other web-based research. If you wish to be removed, you may unsubscribe below.
Also, for more regular updates and interaction with our region's tourism industry, join the Friends of WxNW Facebook group.
We acknowledge Tasmanian Aboriginal people as the traditional and ongoing custodians of lutruwita (Tasmania). We honour their deep cultural connection and care of these lands, skies and waterways, and pay our respects to Elders past and present.
