Jump in operators’ confidence

HOPES for the tourism industry are at a record high, with businesses reporting a better than expected summer.

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HOPES for the tourism industry are at a record high, with businesses reporting a better than expected summer.

The latest Tasmanian Tourism Industry Business Confidence Index is at 95 points out of a possible 100.

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief Luke Martin said it was a massive turnaround, with results in the first survey in 2011 “below zero”.

More than half the operators surveyed reported an increase in business this summer.

About 330 tourism operators took part in the survey.

Mr Martin said the increase in business performance and confidence was proof tourism would be an economic driver for the state.

“The industry has been promised a lot [by the new State Government] and talked about a lot, and it shows that there is truth behind what we say [and] there’s real potential in the sector,” he said.

“It shows it’s a viable industry for people to look at when setting up businesses.”

Rose Flynn and Antony Langdon opened their Battery Point boutique bunkhouse at the weekend, after researching Tasmania’s tourism industry for the past three years.

Montacute targets budget-conscious travellers who don’t want to sacrifice comfort and style, with beds available for as little as $40 a night.

“We are both extremely passionate about where Tasmania’s tourism industry is going,” Ms Flynn said.

The latest confidence index result shows many tourism operators share their optimism .

Mr Martin said he welcomed the shift in confidence, labelling 2011’s negative zero result as embarrassing.

In the latest survey, 62 per cent of tourism businesses in Hobart and southern regions said their business had ­improved this summer over the previous year.

This included 17 per cent of businesses who were up more than 20 per cent.

About 74 per cent of East Coast operators were up, including 28 per cent who were up more than 20 per cent.

Mr Martin said the result likely pointed to a strong bounce-back after the devastating bushfires last year.

But it wasn’t all positive.

“Figures show that one in five [businesses] are still negative, so we know it’s not across the board glory days for operators,” Mr Martin said.

“But [the survey result] shows we’re on the right track, I think.”

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