Tasmania’s tourism industry makes a ‘remarkable rebound’

Record spending in Tasmania has exceeded expectations of the tourism council as the industry continues to go from strength to strength post Covid. SEE THE STATS >>>

Jake Constantinidis with partner Winnie Summerville from the Central Coast in New South Wales visiting Tasmania. Tourism spend in Tasmania is up. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

For the first time annual visitor spending in Tasmania has exceeded $3bn in a “remarkable rebound” after Covid.

While hailing the record spending Tourism Council Tasmania CEO Luke Martin has warned against complacency and stressed the need for the industry to develop new visitor experiences and infrastructure.

The latest Tasmanian Visitor Survey showed total spending for the 12 months to October 2022 was $3.1bn up 23 per cent from the year ending December 2019 of $2.54bn.

There were 1.058m visitors and the average spend per visitor was $2952, up 56 per cent from the year to October 2019.

The average spend per night was $300, up 27 per cent from the previous 12 months and the average stay was 9.8 nights.

Premier and Tourism Minister Jeremy Rockliff welcomed the record spending.

“It’s yet another significant milestone for our world-class tourism industry that pumps millions into our economy and supports thousands of jobs, right across the State,” he said.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff launching suicide prevention program. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Mr Martin said the unprecedented visitor spending was testament to the strength of Tasmania’s appeal as a destination.

“This is remarkable rebound in visitor demand and shows just how many high spending mainlanders have chosen Tasmania for their first getaway after lockdowns, he said.

“During the very darkest days of Covid when our borders were closed, our great festivals had been cancelled and so many of our iconic tourism businesses were in hibernation, we always clung to the genuine belief that when things did normalise, Tasmania would bounce out of Covid as well as any destination in the country.

Luke Martin CEO Tourism Industry Council Tasmania said the unprecedented visitor spending was testament to the strength of Tasmania’s appeal as a destination. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“But not even in my most optimistic moments could we have imagined posting $3bn of visitor spending in the year ending October 2022.”

Mr Martin said it was critical the industry and State were not complacent and strategies were being put in place to soften an inevitable correction.

“We simply must continue to be bullish in encouraging new product and visitor experiences like nature tourism, agritourism, and our wonderful festivals and events sectors, because this is what our visitor market is seeking.

“We also need to diversify our visitor markets for the inevitable recovery in outbound international tourism that will come over the next few years.

“Launceston is seeing its share of the lucrative business events market go begging because of a lack of infrastructure in the City, while Hobart must diversify its visitor market through the opportunities of major events.”

Tourism Tasmania CEO ‘John Fitzgerald said the spending was a “significant milestone”

“It is testament to the demand for Tasmania as a holiday destination and the quality tourism experiences that we have to offer,” he said.

First time visitors Winnie Summerville and Jake Constantinidis from the Central Coast of New South Wales arrived with their car on the Spirit of Tasmania and “love being here”.

“We’ve been here seven days and we’re looking to extend our stay,” the said.

“We’re running out of time to check everything out.”

They said they had only heard good reports from Tasmania from friends who had visited and had spent more on food and feul than they thought they would.

“I’ve had my first scallop pie and it was delicious,” Mr Constantinidis said.

“We’re just loving the food.”