Tourism council backs Libs' wilderness plan

TASMANIA’S peak tourism body has signed an agreement with the Liberal Party, formalising the party’s election promises to the industry.

The Bay of Fires Lodge, the type of development that would be considered for national par

TASMANIAÂ’S peak tourism body has signed an agreement with the Liberal Party, formalising the partyÂ’s election promises to the industry.

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chairman Simon Currant said the organisation was “totally behind” the Liberals’ plan for tourism.

But chief executive Luke Martin denied the signing of the memorandum of understanding meant the tourism council had officially endorsed the party.

“We won’t endorse a party; tourism operators are smart enough to make their own decision,” he said.

Mr Martin said the council had a longstanding protocol agreement with the Labor Government, which stretched back to the 1990s.

But he said the Liberal Party had “seized the issues” raised by the tourism industry.

“We’ve been very consistent about what our priorities are and vocally so, to both sides (of politics),” Mr Martin said.

“It’s fair to say the Liberals have embraced that and made it a feature of their campaign.

“From my perspective this is a strong political statement from them to ensure they deliver on the promises they’ve made to industry.”

The Liberals have promised a $16 million boost for marketing and to drop the price of fares on the Spirit of Tasmania.

The Liberals have also promised to make it easier to develop in national parks, and to spend $6 million upgrading bushwalking tracks.

Leader Will Hodgman has also committed to take on the tourism portfolio as premier.

He said the party wants visitor numbers to reach 1.5 million a year by 2021.

“What we’re doing to today is formalising our plan for the state and our tourism industry and setting down a clear pathway to achieving our plan,” he said.

He said the agreement was in recognition of tourism’s importance to the economy and as a major employer.