Tasmanian businesses offer incentives to lure locals out of hibernation

From free nights in luxury hotels to bonus hampers of Tasmanian produce, many tourism operators are pulling out all stops to appeal to a locals-only market before the interstate travel ban is lifted.

THERE has never been a better time for Tasmanians to explore their own state as businesses offer all sorts of incentives to lure locals out of hibernation.

From free nights in luxury hotels to bonus hampers of Tasmanian produce, many tourism operators are pulling out all stops to appeal to a locals-only market before the interstate travel ban is lifted.

One of the state’s biggest accommodation providers, RACT, is gearing up to welcome visitors again from July 15.

The company is offering free membership for all Tasmanians until August, allowing them to access discounted accommodation at Freycinet Lodge, Cradle Mountain Hotel and Strahan Village.

MORE NEWS: ‘SHACKIES’ RACE BACK TO COAST

In Hobart, boutique hotel Corinda reopened on Friday, with owners Chaxiraxi Afonso Higuera and Julian Roberts excited and optimistic after so many weeks of closure.

The couple is offering a substantial room discount for three-night stays and, like many operators, is throwing in a Tasmanian produce gift, either wine or chocolate.

Ms Afonso Higuera also used the down time to plan a series of pop-up dinners as well as breakfasts, lunches and coffees, so locals can enjoy the beautiful buildings and garden.

“I’m feeling positive and I’m hoping that in December we can get more bookings from people from the mainland and New Zealand,” she said.

Boat tour operator Robert Pennicott was relieved to learn late in the week that commercial transport providers would be allowed to take a commonsense approach to staff and passenger safety, without having to impose strict social distancing regulations.

Robert Pennicott. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

Mr Pennicott held a video meeting with about 70 staff on Friday letting them know the company’s operations on Bruny Island, the Tasman Peninsula and Coles Bay would resume on July 1.

“That will be for a Tasmanian market and we’ll be offering a substantial discount,” Mr Pennicott said.

Tasmanian Walking Company is another high-profile business popular with the interstate market, offering high-end guided walks in some of the state’s most spectacular locations. The company said it would make an announcement soon about an incentive deal for locals.

Par Avion owner Shannon Wells said his company would similarly be in a position soon to offer locals’ rates on flights to the South West Wilderness.

Shannon Wells. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

He said working with locals only allowed some flexibility to take advantage of those crystal clear winter days at relatively short notice, with special rates for family groups to book out a whole plane.

“About 40 per cent of our market are locals and I think there’s a great opportunity for people to go down there,” Mr Wells said.

“You get some amazing winter days down in the South West when there’s no wind and clear skies, but you get some ordinary days too, so to have that mailing list we’ll be able let people know when we’re heading for a good day and say ‘First in best dressed’.”

Kerry Houston and her family launched The Ship Inn luxury accommodation at Stanley in the middle of last year and had strong advance bookings — until COVID-19 struck.

Kerry and Alistair Houston with daughters Lucy, 9, and Bonnie, 7. They own The Ship Inn luxury accommodation at Stanley.

“It was really hard that first day when the cancellations kept coming in, but then we invented a game of cancellation bingo,” Mrs Houston said. “Every time the phone went ‘Bing’ with another cancellation we had a sip of wine.

“A lot of people have started to book again and in some cases they’re coming with extra family, which is nice,” she said.

She hoped the offer of three nights for the price of two would help lure Tasmanians to the town, which she said had grown in strength as a community during the lockdown.

“Stanley is pretty small anyway, so when everything closed up it shrank even more. But in a way the community also grew, particularly online,” Mrs Houston said.

Other businesses are thinking outside the square with their offerings, including Free Spirit Pods on Bruny Island, which is providing guests with a hamper of organic vegetables from a neighbouring farm and a barbecue meat pack from the nearby Snug butcher.

Free Spirit Pods. Picture: AMANDA DUCKER

A Tourism Tasmania survey of 1000 Tasmanians in late May found that 68 per cent were planning to take a holiday or overnight trip within the state in the next 12 months.

After Hobart, St Helens was the most mentioned destination when people were asked an open-ended question about their top three destinations for an overnight stay. Launceston was also popular, followed by Cradle Mountain, Strahan, Bicheno and Stanley.