Wow, what a busy summer! As February approaches quickly, we're thrilled to be enjoying the wonderful weather, and it's great to see both visitors and locals out and about, starting the year on a high.
In the North West, we have welcomed 19 cruise ships into Burnie. Our appreciation goes out to the dedicated volunteers, tour guides and operators who have made this possible and showing this market a great time. The season is far from over with about 20 more to go.
Here at WxNW, the wheels are in motion for an exciting year ahead. We've been hard at work planning, and I'm excited to announce that 2024 is shaping up to be a year filled with promising events and initiatives for our region. Our calendar is brimming with activities, so stay tuned for all the updates!
Your responses to our sentiment survey last year were well received and we've taken your feedback on board. To ensure you're always informed, we'll be providing regular updates on our industry-exclusive Facebook page. I encourage you to join our Friends of WxNW community to keep up to date on all the latest developments and happenings that myself, Sarah and Meg have been up to.
Photo | (left to right) Gabriella Cont, Sarah Norton and Meg Hely
Tourism Tasmania | The OffSeason 2024
SUBMIT YOUR OFFER BY 31 MARCH
Launching in April 2024, the Off Season campaign is designed to show people on the mainland that Tasmania offers unique winter experiences. The goal is to decrease the impact of seasonal changes and increase winter tourism by motivating Australians to choose Tasmania for a different kind of winter holiday.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
All tourism operators in Tasmania can submit an Off-Season offer up until 31 March, regardless of whether you have participated in the Tourism Tasmania support program.
You can submit up to three offers for consideration that are bookable during the period of 7 April - 31 August2024. Off Season offer redemption period commences on 1 May, and will conclude on the 31 August.
Please reach out to Meg if you need any assistance in coming up with an idea or need help inputting your offer.
Tourism Tasmania | Visitor data year ending September 2023
Tourism Tasmania recently released the latest visitor data for year-end Sep 2023 from the Tasmanian Visitor Survey (TVS), a quarterly exit survey of departing visitors. This data is released quarterly and provides good insights into key metrics including expenditure by visitors, numbers of visitors and nights.
For the year ending Sep 2023, the post-pandemic recovery seen through 2022 continued through winter 2023, both nights and spend were higher than pre-pandemic levels and 2022.
Total visitation (interstate and international) was up 31% on the same time last year, but down slightly compared to YE Sep 2019.
International visitation also continues to recover, with international visitor share at 13% of total visitation to the state, 2% lower than pre-pandemic international share.
For year-end Sep 2023, visitor numbers and nights were higher for our region compared with both YE Sep 22 and 2019.
Visitors to North West and West Coast: 550,200 - up 35% compared with YE Sep 22 and 108% of visitors in 2019.
Nights spent in North West and West Coast: 2.26 million nights – up 21% compared with YE Sep 22 and 113% of nights in 2019.
Go to the one page Fast Facts or the more detailed Snapshot for a more in-depth analysis.
KING ISLAND | Networking Drinks
With WxNW & Events Tas
Join Sarah Norton (our Marketing & Industry Support Manager) Kate Mirowski and David Edgar from Events Tasmania for a drink and a couple of nibbles at Legs Cafe.
Whether you are already involved in events on the island or considering starting up something new, come and network, catch up, and hear the latest from the best in the business!
Join WxNW, your LTA and the THA's Great Customer Experience (GCE) Program for an opportunity to network with industry colleagues. The Tasmanian Hospitality Association will present an overview of their highly regarded Great Customer Experience program, providing operators with an understanding of how the GCE Program provides support and training to enhance your customer experiences.
FAR NORTH WEST
CIRCULAR HEAD TOURISM ASSOCIATION
When | Monday, 18, March
Time | 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Where | Tall Timbers, 5/15 Scotchtown Rd, Smithton
Cost | Free
CENTRAL COAST
CAVES TO CANYONS, BUSINESS NORTH WEST & MERSEY VALLEY
When | Tuesday, 19 March
Time | 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Where | The Hive, Ulverstone
Cost | Free
WEST COAST
DESTINATION WEST COAST
When | Wednesday, 20 March
Time | 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Where | TBC
Cost | Free
*** As we are yet to confirm a venue, please book your spot on the WC by emailing meg@wxnw.com.au
Off the back of the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania (TICT)’s launch of its Emission Reduction program, the TICT is holding a series of one-day workshops across the state focused on how practically apply sustainability knowledge to everyday operations – and reduce overheads at the same time!
This FREE bespoke workshop program, curated specifically for Tasmanian tourism operators using local case studies, will guide businesses through focus areas including:
Emissions reduction
Sustainable operations
Waste management
Marketing your values & sustainability efforts
Experience design
Details to be announced in the coming weeks by the TICT via their website (www.tict.com.au), e-newsletter and social media channels.
Upcoming dates:
March 18 – Hobart workshop & Learning Tour
March 19 – Triabunna workshop & Learning Tour
March 20 – Launceston workshop & Low Carb(on) Lunch
Tourism Tasmania Roadshow
SAVE THE DATE!!
Tourism Tasmania will be providing an industry update in the North West on Monday 25 March, to coincide with the launch of their Off Season marketing campaign in early April.
When | Monday, 25 March
Time | 4:30 - 6:30pm
Where | location TBC
Cost | Free
Google My Business Guide
Best Practices Now Available!
Explore the newly released Google My Business Best Practices, an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide designed to enhance your proficiency in utilising Google My Business functions. Unveiling essential insights, this guide empowers businesses to optimise their online presence effectively. Elevate your online visibility with this comprehensive resource, ensuring your business stands out on the digital stage.
ATDW is a way for Tasmanian tourism operators to promote their businesses and events across numerous digital platforms that directly connect with consumers. By listing your business on ATDW-Online, you gain exposure on various travel websites, including our North West website, Tasmania’s official travel website and app, Discover Tasmania (which receives over 2 million visits a year) and Australia.com amongst others.
The scheme aims to ensure that Tasmania’s built heritage places are valued, protected, maintained, and leveraged for the benefit Tasmania and Tasmanians.
A total of $1 million is available under Round 1 (2023-24) of the Grants Scheme through two Programs:
Conservation Program:
Small grants of $5,000 to $20,000 to support state-registered property owners to undertake small but significant, heritage conservation and restoration activities.
Activation Program:
Large grants of $20,000 to $200,000 to support heritage property owners, skills development organisations and the community to activate heritage places.
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.
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 relevant and current specialist financial services or business support to assist in their growth, transition, business recovery from unexpected events or application of other management strategies.
A total of $525,000 has been allocated for round three of this program, across the following two streams:
General support grants - $465,000
No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) application support grants - $60,000
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.
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 Cultural Tourism Accelerator Program The Cultural Tourism Accelerator Program is 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.
Grants of up to $50,000 are available to help your workers improve their reading, writing, maths, speaking, listening or digital skills. Applications must be completed by September 29 to be assessed in the first tranche of funding.
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.