Apple Isle Wine Tours worried Tasmanians won’t make the most of local services
Tour operators fear the government’s travel vouchers and local tourism may not be enough to keep the lights on as they “nervously” await the December 1 border reopening.
Business
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TASMANIAN tourism operators are “nervously” waiting for borders to re-open on December 1 with some concerned the Tasmanian market alone may not be enough to keep them afloat.
As was the experience for many Tasmanian tour operators, Justin Davies watched his highly lucrative touring company fall flat over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the operations manager for Apple Isle Wine Tours, the company’s $15,000-$20,000 monthly revenue completely disappeared when coronavirus hit.
“Sadly 80 per cent of our business is generated through long term contracts held with mainland-based travel companies,” Mr Davies said.
“Our customers originated from the US, UK, Europe and domestic Australia, plus cruise ships.
“It would not be out of the question for customers to spend $1000 each day on wine and other Tassie products such as art.”
Mr Davies said as peak tourism season runs from October to March, Premier Peter Gutwein’s December 1 reopening date wiped two months off the crucial money-making period for tourism.
“I know a lot of operators that are quite nervous about the December reopening,” he said.
While his company cannot bank on international or potentially even mainland business any time soon, Mr Davies said the company was now working to capitalise on a Tasmanian market – which has presented issues of its own.
“It’s not just Tasmanians – I don’t think locals all around the world appreciate what they’ve got in their own backyard,” he said.
“The biggest challenge is having locals understand the value in local experiences.”
“It’s often the case that locals don’t want to pay for tours in their own backyard but we are hoping with the government’s recent travel program it will not only provide a much-needed boost for small tourism businesses, but also provide an educative experience on what’s actually available here in Tassie.”
He hoped Tasmanian’s who have recently acquired the elusive, government funded Make Yourself At Home vouchers would use them on tours and businesses such as his, but felt another release was needed.
“I certainly think there should be another round,” he said.
“I hope that those who have taken vouchers on the first round use them.”
Mr Davies said he had not yet noticed an uptake in traffic after Monday’s release of vouchers as reports emerge of delays in processing.
“Hopefully we will see some and see them soon,” he said.
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