Tassie wins lion’s share of $50m tourism recovery funding

More flights, more events and more festivals are on the cards with the state’s tourism industry to be the nation’s biggest winner from $150 million of new recovery funding.

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THE Tasmanian tourism industry will be the major beneficiary from $150 million in federal government recovery funding, the Sunday Tasmanian can reveal.

Today’s World Tourism Day announcement will include $50 million to help regional areas rebuild from the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Tasmania will receive the single largest share of the fund with $13 million — or 27 per cent of the funding — intended to help the worst-hit areas secure flights, boost marketing, put on events or festivals and refocus on domestic visitors.

And the state will be able to apply for more money under a new $100 million Build Better Regions Fund for infrastructure such as visitor centres, camping facilities, and walking and cycling trails.

Tourism directly or indirectly employs more than 43,000 Tasmanians and the industry contributes $1.75 billion to the state’s finances.

But it has been hit hard by national and international border closures designed to limit the spread of COVID-19 infections.

The funding is designed to help increase infrastructure such as visitor centres, camping facilities, and walking and cycling trails. Picture: Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service

Tasmanian Senator Jonno Duniam, who is the federal Assistant Minister for Regional Tourism, said the pre-budget announcement would help tourism businesses get back on their feet.

“Tourism will never be the same again. But there is opportunity in this challenge, and that opportunity is greatest right here in Tasmania,” he said.

“Our federal budget will give Tasmania access to tens of millions of dollars to realise this opportunity and shape the future of tourism.

“This is recognition of the significance of Tasmania in Australia’s tourism landscape and the critical role the state will play in the country’s recovery.”

Senator Duniam said the programs announced today would help save hundreds of Tasmanian businesses and jobs.

“Tasmania could invest in securing flights to bring more travellers here, create new festivals and events that celebrate whisky, wine or wilderness, or use the funding to assist operators heavily reliant on international visitors to target Australian travellers,” he said.

“Tassie’s produced the likes of Mona and Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, so the sky is the limit for what could come next. What’s certain is that it’s just what we need to boost tourism and create jobs.”

Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said a shift to focusing on domestic tourism would help keep the industry going until international travel restarts.

“Decisions to close our international borders have been critical in the fight against COVID-19, however, it has meant tourism regions and operators who are reliant on international visitors continue to do it incredibly tough,” Senator Birmingham said.

“Getting more Australians travelling to places that are usually enjoyed by our international visitors will help to save the jobs and businesses of our fellow Australians.

“Tourism is such an important job creator and driver of many regional economies. We want to make sure that our tourism regions are in the best possible shape on the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The development of new visitor infrastructure, attractions and experiences will not only give more visitors a reason to visit but will generate construction jobs in the short term, before supporting more regional tourism jobs in the longer term.”

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