Gabriella Conti (WxNW) and Anne Greentree (Tourism Tasmania) braving the King Island wind.
It has been an eventful month on all fronts.
Last week, the government announced a delay in the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels, now anticipated to start in February 2027—or as early as October 2026 if berthing facilities progress smoothly.
Though industry is disappointed we are currently in this position and we need to remain focused on driving regional demand and advocating for those additional day sailings and driving demand through our regional airports.
The Premier has introduced a Tourism and Hospitality Support Package, featuring increased day sailings, expanded air routes, event funding, a preparedness fund, and a Tasmanian marketing campaign.
In collaboration with TICT, we are actively participating in roundtable discussions and will provide industry with the latest information. Please stay updated through the Spirit Spotlight webpage HERE.
We have been all over the region hosting workshops and attending events, including four digital ready workshops in Stanley and Spreyton, King Island roadshow with Tourism Tasmania, Circular Head AGM, Nature Day hosted by TICT, Tasting Trail AGM, supporting the VNT’s Championship Awards and Cruise Famil.
THA awards night was a hit with our region taking out numerous of awards, click HERE to see all the winners! A special shout out to Julian & Tracey Jacobs from Stanley Hotel for the Hospitality Minister's Award for Contribution to the Industry and John Dabner, from Tall Timbers Tasmania, presented with a Life Membership.
We would like to thank everyone who completed our sentiment survey and we are thrilled to announce Ian Jones was the winner of the generous gift donated by Penguin Beer Co.
WxNW recently conducted its Annual General Meeting during which we farewelled two directors, David Midson and Alicia Peardon. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for their unwavering commitment, exceptional skills, and passionate dedication to our Board.
Following on from the meeting, we have published our WxNW Annual Reportand we encourage you to peruse it when you have a moment.
Based on last year’s outcomes detailed in the annual report, we have updated our WxNW Strategy to align with the organisation’s four key pillars, aligning with the 2030 Visitor Economy Strategy, this is the final year of the strategy.
Mark your calendar for our end of year Celebration at Eastford Creek on Thursday 12thDecember. ClickHERE to book!
Photo (left to right) | Gabriella Conti (WxNW), Larni Davies (TICT), Amy Hills (TICT), Tory Ross (PWS) and Meg Hely (WxNW) attending the Nature Day Conference.
Congratulations to Our Region’s Finalists!
Last month, theTourism Industry Council Tasmania announced the finalists in the 2024 Tasmanian Tourism Awards! Each of these operators has been judged as reaching the highest national industry benchmark standard for excellence, innovation and sustainability in tourism.
Congratulations to all these outstanding operators, their staff and supporters for their success and commitment to further raising the bar in the Tasmanian tourism industry.
We wish you all the best of luck - and cannot wait to celebrate with you all at the awards next Friday!
Tourism Tasmania is inviting tourism operators to submit their 2025 Off Season offers or events earlyto have the best chance of being considered for inclusion in the campaign's marketing activities next year. The interactive workshops will assist you with how to:
Get involved with an Off Season offer (including brainstorming offer ideas in small groups).
Leverage participation in the Off Season on your website and social media.
DEVONPORT Location: Paranaple Convention Centre Date: Wednesday, 6 November 2024 Time: 2pm - 5pm
Join the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania as we celebrate the finest in Tasmanian tourism at the 2024 Tasmanian Tourism Awards Gala! Tasmania stands out among other states, especially in tourism, contributing immense value to our state. This year’s Gala will highlight these achievements and more – we look forward to celebrating with you!
West Coasters - as we head into the busy season, it's time to reconnect! Join Gabriella and Sarah for a catch up over a drink and meet Louisa Gordon, the new CEO of The Unconformity, and hear about her vision for 2025's event.
With 16 cruise ships visiting Burnie this summer, join us for a pre-season briefing to hear from WxNW, Tourism Tasmania, Australian Cruise Association, Burnie City Council, TasPorts, and more, to prepare for the season and connect with industry peers!
This workshop aims to help tourism businesses gain a deeper understanding of cruise passenger visitor profiles, distribution, and packaging for shore excursions advertised onboard cruise ships that visit Burnie. We will also deliver some practical group exercises to facilitate regional collaboration.
How Tourism Can Play a Role in Tasmania’s Low Emissions Future
TICT members and accredited tourism operators are invited to join the discussion around Tasmania’s role in a low-carbon future and the tourism industry’s potential to drive change. Network with peers and hear from leading voices in sustainability. Register now to secure your spot!
Date: Tuesday, 19th November
Time: 5:30 - 8:00 pm
Location: AURA, Crowne Plaza Hobart
Cost: $20 for TICT members and accredited operators (includes beverages & canapes)
As we head into the busy summer, now’s the perfect time to give your digital platforms a refresh!
Take a quick review of your website, ATDW profile, social media, and Google profile. Ensure your contact details, hours, and other info are up to date—keeping things current can help capture every opportunity. Seasonal tweaks to your website content and featuring any upcoming offers can also draw in more visitors.
Need help with your ATDW profile? Reach out to Meg at meg@wxnw.com.au.
Are You Open on Christmas Day?
With the busy holiday season coming up, we’re gathering details on which businesses will be open over Christmas and New Year’s public holidays.
If you are a cafe, restaurant, tour, attraction and operating on these public holidays let us know! Especially Christmas Day! We’ll share this with key tourism agencies (such as the Tasmanian Visitor Information Centre, Tourism Tasmania and our RTO partners) to help visitors find your services.
Don't forget to update your ATDW and Google business listings with your opening hours.
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.
OPENING 13 NOVEMBER -This grant program aims to support small businesses operating in the Tasmanian hospitality industry to invest in activities that will attract visitors to their regions, and/or assist in business growth, transition, recovery from unexpected events, innovation, or diversification.
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.
