International tourists beat a path to holiday hot spot

THE international flavour of Tasmania’s tourism boom is getting stronger with a record 300,000 visitors from around the world visiting here in the 12 months to March this year.

THE international flavour of Tasmania’s tourism boom is getting stronger with a record 300,000 visitors from around the world visiting here in the 12 months to March this year.

Tourism Research Australia’s International Visitor Survey revealed overseas visitors spent $559 million in the state — a 32 per cent increase – which was the strongest growth across Australia.

The 20 per cent increase in international visitors also topped the nation and comes on top of Tasmanian Visitor Survey data which showed an increase to 1.28 million in total visitors.

Four years after the visit of President Xi Jinping, Chinese tourist numbers increased by 46 per cent to 46,000 visitors who spent $128 million.

But there were also big increases in visitors from the United States (up 22 per cent to 44,000), New Zealand (up 60 per cent to 23,000), Singapore (up 33 per cent to 17,000), France (up 83 per cent to 9000) and India (68 per cent to 9000).

Total nights spent in Tasmania by international visitors were up by 44 per cent on the previous year to a total of 5.2 million nights.

The Port Arthur Historic Site was the main attraction for international tourists, with 113,000 visitors. Picture: ISTOCK

Federal Tourism Minister Steven Ciobo said international and domestic tourism contributed $3 billion to total gross state product in 2016-17.

“In 2016-17 tourism employed around 38,000 workers across the island, 18,900 directly and a further 19,000 indirectly,” he said.

Federal Tourism Minister Steven Ciobo. Picture: AAP

Hobart and the South was the most popular destination with 259,000 international visitors who spent $373 million, while Launceston attracted 117,000 visitors who spent $98 million.

Mr Ciobo said Tasmania was a particularly attractive destination for older travellers.

“It is the only state where more than half of all international visitors (51 per cent) are aged 45 years or more,” he said.

“Overall, these visitors numbered 154,000, an increase of 32 per cent on the previous year.

The figures revealed international visitors spent $42.3 billion across Australia — a 6 per cent increase.

Cradle Mountain attracted 107,000 international visitores in the 12 months to the end of March. Picture: ISTOCK

Tasmania’s 20 per cent increase in international visitor numbers topped the nation ahead of the ACT (16 per cent), Victoria, (9 per cent) and South Australia (9 per cent).

Tasmania has experienced sustained and strong international tourism growth over the past five years with visitor numbers increasing by 91 per cent and international expenditure up 107 per cent.

Bridestowe Lavender farm managing director Robert Ravens said the operation had attracted 85,000 visitors in 2017-18 with about 60 per cent of Chinese ethnicity.

“Bobby the Lavender Bear is doing very well and continues to be a primary purchase,” he said.

Freycinet National Park was the third most popular attraction, with 81,000 visitors. Picture: Supplied

University of Tasmania Asia Institute Professor James Chin said the figures were the result of extensive promotion campaigns.

“I also think the codeshare arrangement which allows the Chinese airlines to book a single ticket to Tasmania helped a lot,” he said.

“Chinese like to travel in groups and … they do not like to waste time in transit.”

Simon Leung, from Hong Kong, with his family Wang Xinxing, Gigi, 9, and Tommi, 3, enjoy a stroll around Constitution Dock while on holiday in Hobart. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

FAMILY HAS A REAL TASTE FOR TASSIE

TELEVISION shows that highlighted Tasmania’s natural landscape and its bounty of food convinced Simon Leung it was a place he had to see for himself.

Mr Leung, of Hong Kong, arrived in Hobart with his family on Wednesday for a five-night stay and said he was eager to taste what the city’s restaurants had to offer.

“We chose to visit Hobart to taste some of Tasmania’s well-renowned food, such as the oysters,” Mr Leung said.

“Our initial impressions of the city have been very impressive. We’re very excited to explore the city’s natural beauty.”

Mr Leung said he was encouraged to travel to Hobart after finding information about Tasmania online and on television.

“I’ve seen documentaries about Tasmania back home in Hong Kong which described Tasmania as a very fantastic place,” Mr Leung said.

“I think most tourists like to come to Tasmania to admire the natural environment and fresh air. The people we’ve met here are very nice and the local food is great.”