Hobart snubbed as other cities jag free baggage and half price fares in bumper flights sale

Tasmania’s capital was originally part of the federal government’s list of destinations to share in the half-price airline ticket stimulus package – but was later dropped. DETAILS + HOW TO BOOK >>

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TASMANIA’S capital was part of the federal government’s list of destinations to share in the half-price airline ticket stimulus package but was later dropped, documentation shows.

The government’s own Tourism Aviation Network Support Program fact sheet, tweeted on Friday by a Tasmanian aviation industry identity, shows Hobart was on the list of 14 airports but then dropped.

Independent Member for Clark Andrew Wilkie labelled the change “blatant pork barrelling that would make even the most hardened political party hack blush.”

“First it was the two northern Tasmanian Liberal-held seats to get the COVID jab ahead of others. And now it’s the two northern Tasmanian Liberal-held seats to get the federal airfare subsidy,” Mr Wilkie said.

The fact sheet was tweeted by Par Avion’s Shannon Wells on Friday. The link has since been removed but the Mercury has seen the documentation.

https://t.co/I0SOIbkmWx

Why is Hobart on a cached version of Tourism Aviation Support Network #politas

— Shannon Wells (@shannon_wells) March 11, 2021

“Hobart was once included, but was presumably removed by a Minister or the Prime Minister looking at a map of marginal seats,” Mr Wilkie said.

A major campaign has now been launched to get Hobart included as Tourism Minister Dan Tehan indicated more places could be added to the government’s controversial early stimulus list.

Mr Tehan on Friday said regional destinations which think they have been wrongly left off the map could lobby the government.

“We will continue to work with the aviation sector and if there are other destinations we need to add we will,” he said.

Mr Tehan rejected suggestions the northern destinations were selected because they are in the marginal electorates of Bass and Braddon.

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania CEO Luke Martin has already expressed his dismay at the fact that only Burnie, Devonport and Launceston were part of the government’s $1.2b tourism stimulus passage under which 800,000 cheap tickets will be up for grabs.

Darwin and Adelaide have been named as among the 13 tourism locations viewed by Canberra as needing a shot in the arm.

Premier Peter Gutwein on Friday wrote to the Prime Minister asking urgent consideration be given to adding Hobart.

Mr Gutwein said he was pleased the northern airports were part of the first version of the package but Tasmania’s tourism industry and operators needed more.

“It has been an abbreviated peak travel season this summer and with both Darwin and Adelaide included, it would be appropriate for Hobart to also be given the opportunity to benefit from the initiative,” he said.

The mayors of the Greater Hobart region are also pushing for Tasmania’s capital to be a late inclusion.

In a letter to Mr Tehan the mayors call Hobart Australia’s most tourism-dependent capital city.

“The omission of the state’s primary entry point prevents the scheme from achieving its full economic potential,” the letter said.

Local Labor MPS Julie Collins and Brian Mitchell and Senator Carol Brown have also written to Mr Tehan asking he explain the government’s rationale.

The letter says his “incredibly disappointing decision” would hurt the state’s tourism industry, particularly when JobKeeper ends at the end of March.

The Tourism and Transport Forum estimates up to 9000 Tasmanian jobs in tourism and related sectors will be at risk when the wage subsidy ends.

“The decision to exclude Hobart from the plan will put many of these jobs, which are based in southern Tasmania, at risk.

Free baggage, half price fares: Bumper flights sale

AN airline inundated by customers wanting to book half-price fares under the federal government’s new stimulus package has decided to break early offering discount flights from today.

Flights are being offered at low prices, with Tasmanian passengers able to fly to Melbourne for just $64.

Virgin Australia says it is launching its half-price flash sale from 5pm Friday for travel between March 15-28.

A Virgin Australia spokesperson said the airline had been inundated with guests wanting to book the federal government’s half-price fares.

“So in true Virgin style we’re giving our loyal customers a taste of what’s to come,” they said.

“There has literally never been a better time to fly and guests will be able to book fares today to popular Australian destinations such as Byron Bay and the Gold Coast for no more than a taxi fare.”

Virgin said it would continue to offer free baggage, seat selection and Velocity Frequent Flyer points and status credits for all half-price fares sold.

Virgin is offering flights from Sydney to Byron Bay from $55 one-way economy.

Sydney to Gold Coast for $55, Melbourne to Launceston for $64, Brisbane to the Whitsundays from $78, Melbourne to the Gold Coast from $88, Adelaide to Sydney for $102, Melbourne to Canberra for $111 and Melbourne to Perth for just $146.

Cheap flights plan slammed for overlooking Hobart

TASMANIA’S tourism industry is questioning why the Federal Government’s cheap flights plan to boost tourism across the country doesn’t include Hobart.

As part of a $1.2bn support package, the federal government will cover half the cost of any airfare for specific tourism routes within Australia between April 1 and July 31.

From April people will be able to log onto major airline websites and book as many discounted flights as they want on 13 designated routes, including to Launceston, Burnie and Devonport, the Gold Coast, Cairns, Uluru and Kangaroo Island.

The routes to Tasmania are Melbourne-Launceston, Sydney-Launceston, Brisbane-Launceston, Melbourne-Devonport and Melbourne-Burnie.

But Tourism Industry Council Tasmania CEO Luke Martin says, while they welcome the government’s support package discounting flights into Tasmania’s regional airports, our capital city should have been included.

“Obviously it’s a great outcome for the North and North-West, and driving visitation directly into regional Tasmania,” Mr Martin said.

“But there are operators in all parts of the State hurting, and there is every argument to say today’s routes should have included Hobart as a regional centre.

“The Federal Government’s clearly decided to exclude capital city destinations, but we would argue Hobart’s economy is as tourism dependent as similar sized mainland cities included in the routes, such as Geelong and the Sunshine Coast.

TICT CEO Luke Martin at Hobart. Picture Chris Kidd

“We do however know 80% of holiday markers who come into the state via the north do visit Hobart, so the reality is by growing the pie of visitation into the state, all regions will share in the benefits.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the cheap airfares would be the tourism sector’s “ticket to recovery” with thousands of businesses expected to benefit from the increase in domestic travel.

“This package will take more tourists to our hotels and cafes, taking tours and exploring our backyard,” he said.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison touches elbows with Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack in front of a Boeing 737 during an aviation announcement at Qantas Hangar 96 at Sydney Airport in Sydney NSW. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Coker

“That means more jobs and investment for the tourism and aviations sectors as Australia heads toward winning our fight against COVID-19 and the restrictions that have hurt so many businesses.”

The flight subsidy will be demand driven, but the government estimates it will fund 46,000 trips a week or 800,000 for the life of the scheme.

The government’s airline support package will also include direct funding to international carriers who provide assurance they will maintain a set level of flight readiness for when overseas travel resumes.

Each month from April until October 31, when international flights are expected to resume, Qantas and Virgin would be required to demonstrate they have kept on staff.

It is expected to keep about 8600 international airline workers in a job.

The government will also offer low-interest loans to small and medium businesses in the tourism sector who have been on JobKeeper in the most recent quarter, with the program due to end this month.

Mr Martin said overall, he supported the scheme in its intent to boost the nation’s tourism.

“We need a soft landing as JobKeeper ends and further stimulus to kick start Australian domestic tourism is the best way to support all businesses across our visitor economy,” Mr Martin said.

“In Tasmania we have seen first hand through our local voucher scheme and the free car fares on the Spirit of Tasmania just how effective these types of financial incentives are in encouraging Australians to get out and travel.

“Right now, what we need are open domestic borders and the consumer confidence to travel, and I’m sure these discounted flights are going to be a welcome shot in the arm.”