Tasmanian tourism figures reach record highs

The number of tourists visiting Tasmania continues to rise, but signs of weakness have emerged in some regions of the state.

THE number of tourists visiting Tasmania edged up slightly to a new record high in the year to September, new figures show.

More than 1.3 million visitors spent more than 10.8 million nights in the state during the period, the Tourism Snapshot shows.

They spent $2.5 billion, a 5 per cent increase on the previous corresponding period despite the number of holiday-makers falling 2 per cent to 489,800.

The number of people visiting friends or relatives was up 8 per cent to 316,100, business visitors rose 5 per cent to 220,600, but conference visitors fell 29 per cent to 27,400.

Victoria and New South Wales remain the state’s largest domestic markets.

Visits to regional Tasmania were flat with no growth in the North and drops of 8 per cent to the East Coat and 3 per cent to the North-West. Only visitation to the South grew, up 2 per cent.

Melbourne tourists Romana Zechner and Sebastian Mayer toured the state’s East Coast early this year. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Tourism Tasmania CEO John Fitzgerald said the figures showed Tasmania was continuing to attract visitors who are spending more and contributing to a successful and sustainable visitor economy — but challenges remained.

“Destination marketing is becoming increasingly competitive as each state and territory vies for their share of the travelling public,” he said.

“There is no denying that Tasmania is becoming a more expensive destination to holiday with accommodation pressures in Hobart and average airfares increasing in line with the rest of the Australian domestic market.”

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Tourism Tasmania chief executive John Fitzgerald. Picture: EDDIE SAFARIK

Premier and Tourism Minister Will Hodgman said the figures were encouraging.

“Our tourism operators are the best in the country, and continue to deliver high-quality experiences and service to our visitors,” he said.

“My Government remains the strongest supporter of tourism and is committed to future boosting visitation in regional areas so even more Tasmanians benefit from our prosperous economy.”

Assistant Federal Minister for Regional Tourism Jonno Duniam said the latest federal data showed Tasmania’s regions were reaping enormous economic gains from tourism.

“In the regions of Hobart and the South more than 17,000 workers were employed both directly and indirectly by tourism, up 6.7 per cent on the previous year,” he said.

“In the North-West and on the West Coast more than 6600 people are employed because of tourism, and in Launceston it’s around 7500.

“Tasmania’s East Coast has 2500 workers in the tourism industry, increasing 17 per cent on the previous year.

“This leads the country with more of its workforce employed because of tourism than any other region, accounting for an incredible 49 per cent, or almost one in two workers.”