‘Unreal’ and ‘difficult’ isolation measures will help calm the state

Tourism and business will take a hit with the announcement all incoming travellers to Tasmania must self-isolate, but industry bodies have found a silver lining – the measures may calm the state.

LEADING tourism and business bodies in Tasmania have backed ’traumatic’ new self-isolation laws for those entering Tasmania, saying it may help to calm the state.

This comes as Premier Peter Gutwein announced a State of Emergency, mandating all incoming travellers must self-isolate for 14 days.

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Tourism Industry Council Tasmania CEO Luke Martin, who this week described the cancellation of a slew of flights due to coronavirus contagion fears as “body blows after body blows” for the tourism industry, is remaining up-beat.

“As an industry we understand the government’s decision in the interest of protecting the Tasmanian community,” he said.

“Our focus is entirely on supporting our tourism operators and workforce through this most difficult of circumstances.

“This is economically and emotionally traumatic and getting relief out the door is everyone’s priority.”

Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania's Luke Martin said his focus is on helping operators through this ‘traumatic’ situation. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

The latest Tourism Snapshot showed 1.3 million visitors spent more than 10.8 million nights in the state during the period, spending $2.5 billion.

Director of Vision Hotels, Brendon Deely said Tasmanians need to consider their mental health amid the crisis, and that of those working in the hotel industry.

The operator of Scamander Beach Resort said the industry will survive, but keeping as many employees in work as possible was a priority.

“We’re doing everything we can to preserve our employees, our employees and our guests’ safety is of paramount important,” he said.

“We will ride out this period, and when we get to the back end of this I think we’re going to go into a massive tourism boom, people are going to be so sick of their homes.”

Mr Deely is encouraging Tasmanians to “get out and see their beautiful state” while supporting workers in the industry, dropping rates to operating costs just to keep employees on.

Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Michael Bailey said Tasmanians will have to back local buyers to keep the economy fluid.

TCCI chief Michael Bailey said it will be difficult times for traders. February 25, 2020.

“This is a good decision by the government, a well-timed decision,” he said.

“We support the government with this move, it’s going to be difficult, it’s going to be difficult for many small businesses, sole traders and many tourism and hospitality operators as well.

“But again we hope this serious move will help to reduce the duration of this issue.

“Tough action early may well prevent a longer issue, which is a really important consideration.”

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Mr Bailey said the TCCI doesn’t have any figures on how it may affect local businesses due to the extremity of the measures.

“I don’t think anyone really predicted this,” he said,

“It’s just such an unreal situation.”

“The impact on tourism and hospitality is going to be dramatic, we know the impact on AirBnB, on sole traders and on a whole range of areas is going to be dramatic.”

However, Mr Bailey believes the move will help calm Tasmanians.

“We know we have small numbers of this disease in Tasmania and we need to get people shopping and supporting local businesses,” he said.

“What this could well do is help to calm the panic we’ve seen in many parts of the state and panic buying.”

For Tasmanian businesses struggling, or experiencing difficulties in any respect, call the TCCI hotline, free, on 1300 559 112.