Well, that was a big, wild and windy month to wrap up winter! A reminder to keep up to date with Tas Alerts and download the TasAlert app to get live updates, and as always reach out to us if we can assist.
It was great to connect with friends at the 2024 Future Focus Tasmanian TourismConference, discussing trends and opportunities in Tasmania's visitor economy. Tourism Tasmania highlighted “The Importance of Tourism” supporting 43,000 jobs, infrastructure, and local services.
It comes down to us as individuals to talk about why the
tourism industry is important. We need to share this information with all our fellow Tasmanians, about the benefit that tourism brings to our local communities. Key stats:
15% of Tasmanian businesses rely on tourism
83cents additional benefit generated for every tourism dollar spent
7.12 million air seats in 2023 supported by tourism
$2.8 billion worth of tourism infrastructure projects creating jobs and building confidence.
Bernard Dyer, CEO of TTline provided an update on the Spirit of Tasmania, where he spoke about the delivery of the two new Spirits and the additional significant benefit the ships will bring to the Tasmania economy. Bernard did confirm they have a regular process of reviewing demand and ensuring vessel sailings can meet that demand and that will continue, including consideration of more day sailings’.
WxNW, alongside TICT are a part of the discussion with the Tasmanian Government to understand the challenges impacting the berth for the new spirits. We will to provide some clear timelines to industry once we know.
Next Iconic Walk public-facing information sessions were held last week throughout the state where Parks presented on the progression on the walk in the West Coast, an exciting project, especially in our region!
A special shout out to Ocean Dunes Golf Course on King Island for a major expansion, plan to be completed by end of 2025. 64 more hotel rooms, visitor facilities, staff accommodation and new restaurants a great addition to the island visitor economy.
As we revisit our strategy for 2025 and prepare our October annual report, we ask that you please take 2 minutes to complete our sentiment survey below - your feedback is important. Those who complete the survey will go in the draw to WIN a guided beer tasting with Penguin Beer Co owner, Scott Seymour for you and seven friends!
Photo | (left to right) | Gabriella Conti (WxNW), Scott Roth (Coach of Tasmania JackJumpers) & Cyndia Hilliger (WxNW Chair).
UPCOMING INDUSTRY EVENTS
Tourism Tasmania's Pre-Season Industry Events
Stanley and Queenstown
Join Tourism Tasmania’s Acting CEO, Vanessa Pinto and members of the Tourism Tasmania team for an overview of winter 2024 and the latest Off Season campaign, what to expect for the upcoming season and how to leverage the Come Down For Air campaign in your business.
This is a great opportunity to hear the latest from Tourism Tasmania and network with your industry colleagues prior to the busy summer period. Drinks and nibbles will be provided.
Join Brand Tasmania and learn essential principles of storytelling and content creation, tailored specifically for beginners looking to enhance their brand's online presence. You will explore how to captivate your audience, establish emotional connections, and ultimately drive engagement and conversions through your digital content.
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.
The THA Hospitality Survey is now open. We are inviting all Tasmanian chefs, managers and hospitality business owners to complete the 5-minute survey. The survey is exploring what are the challenged to using Tasmanian sourced ingredients in hospitality kitchen within Tasmania – your experience, expertise and opinions are valued. The survey is part of the THA funded Local Food on Local Plates project and is a first step to find workable solutions for getting more Tasmanian produced food on plates.
Please complete the survey and/or share this link and invitation with your networks and connections. Thanks so much for your help.
Tourism Tasmania's Off Season campaign wraps up this Saturday, and they're inviting participating operators to share their experiences through a brief survey.
The Discover Tasmania website has seen nearly 744,000 visits to Off Season pages, up 147% from last year.
Offers and promotions end on 31 August, with the survey open until mid-October.
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. To find out more about the support available to you, click the button below that best describes your business.
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 $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 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.
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.
