Eco-tourism opportunity knocks for Tasmania

TASMANIA’S bid to become the international capital of environmental tourism has been given the tick of approval.

Supplied picture of Pennicott Wilderness Tours. Supplied Picture Tourism Tasmania

TASMANIA’S bid to become the international capital of environmental tourism has been given the tick of approval by three of the men behind the state’s most successful eco-tourism ventures.

Award-winning Maria Island bush walk operator Ian Johnstone, who runs a range of sought-after walks around the state, said there was no reason Tasmania could not take the mantle with the right mix of appropriate developments.

His comments were supported by Rob Pennicott, whose Pennicott Wilderness Journeys won two gold medals for Best Ecotourism Operator and Excellence in Sustainable Tourism at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in February.

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Tasmanian Air Adventures director operations Tim Robertson, who operates charter flights into some of the state’s most remote and beautiful wild places, also backs the state’s eco-tourism potential.

The Mercury this week revealed the State Government will call for expressions of interest next month in a bid to tap into the investment potential of the state’s national parks and World Heritage areas.

The Tahune Airwalk features wilderness with a view.

White-water rafting on the Franklin River is a popular adventure.

The move has the support of the Tourism Industry Council, which has described the State Government’s EOI process as “a dramatic shift in the process for considering and accessing development proposals in our national parks and world heritage areas’’.

Tasmanian Greens MP Nick McKim said the aspiration was a worthy goal but questioned how the Liberals would implement the plan.

“The tourism sector in Tasmania is going gangbusters and there is simply no need for the Liberals’ proposal, particularly as it risks damaging the values that attract many people to visit Tasmania in the first place,” Mr McKim said yesterday.

“As the Tourism Industry Council has pointed out, there are already over 200 businesses operating in national parks.

“Under the Labor-Green government we saw a 14 per cent increase in visitor numbers last year, with over one million people visiting Tasmania in a 12-month period for the first time in our history.”

But Environment, Parks and Heritage Minister Matthew Groom told the Mercury this week the State Government wanted the new process “to tap into the creativity of the private sector, to tap into the capital of the private sector, to find opportunity for investment in tourism offerings and appropriate and sensible infrastructure to facilitate the tourism opportunity that is genuinely world class”.

He said it was interested in all ideas, from intimate tours for fly fishermen in far flung places to appropriate hotel developments.

Mr Johnstone said Tasmania had world class wilderness areas with mountains, forests and waterways different from anywhere else.

“Many of the 21st century experience-seeking holiday makers want to have authentic holiday experiences where they can immerse themselves in a foreign culture or environment in the company of knowledgeable local guides or hosts.

“Tassie is perfectly positioned in the global market for this.

“It is accessible and safe to visit, we are friendly and relaxed and there is no reason why we can’t be recognised as a global destination for quality adventure and environmentally based tourism.’’

Tasmania is becoming a rock climbing Mecca.

Fly fishers flock to Tasmania’s national parks.

Mr Pennicott said the proposal had fantastic potential if done correctly.

“I don’t think any other state or territory in Australia has really grabbed this space,” he said.

“I really believe it could be a point of difference that other states can’t compete against.”

Mr Pennicott said tourism wholesalers and retailers, and seasoned travellers from around the world were showing significant interest in the state’s wilderness experiences.

“Internationally there is a huge buzz about Tasmania,” Mr Pennicott said.

“Tasmania is already competing with places like New Zealand, Canada and Alaska.”

Tasmanian Air Adventures director operations Tim Robertson said opening the process was important, providing there was a strong focus on the detail of each proposed project.

“We are not talking about the expressions of interest process turning into carnival parks in world heritage areas,” he said.

Mr Robertson said Tasmania could become an international capital for environmental tourism.

“I have no doubt what Tasmania has will increase in currency value. We will be a gold-plated tourism destination.”

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