A majority Liberal Government will:
- Maximise our State’s potential as a tourist destination with an investment package of $83 million, backing a key industry worth $3.6 billion to the State, while underpinning around 43,200 direct and indirect jobs, representing over 17 per cent of our total workforce*.
- Investing $8.45 million into unique tourism product through:
- Showcasing our maritime heritage, with a $1.25 million investment into the Wooden Boat Centre at Franklin.
- Providing a further $2.7 million into the exciting Transformer Project at Ida Bay.
- Awakening our convict heritage, with a $1.25 million Convict Heritage Hub in the Penitentiary Chapel in Hobart.
- Enhancing the Don River Railway with $2 million to develop a world-class rail experience.
- Creating a new short walks destination in the Meander Valley with a $500,000 investment, over two years.
- Building the tourism potential of Tasmania’s Aboriginal Heritage with $750,000 over three years with $450,000 of this to support the wukalina walk.
- Implementing a $50 million program providing interest free loans of up to $1 million to operators to recover and improve their product offerings post COVID.
- Identifying the tourism potential of the Far North-West, with an analysis of opportunities through a $275,000 investment with local industry, and a $2.75 million* investment to revitalise the Edge of the World experience at Arthur River.
- Developing a world-class Visitor Information Technology model, with a $1 million investment over two years, with the East Coast and the West Coast pilots for this project.
- Supporting the tourism industry’s goal to become a carbon neutral destination by waiving registration for electric vehicles purchased by car rental companies and coach operators for two years.
- Elevating the attraction of Tasmania as a preferred destination for business events, with an additional $1.2 million over four years committed to the Business Events Attraction Fund managed by Business Events Tasmania.
The Tasmanian Liberals remain the strongest supporters of the State’s tourism industry and that will continue under a re-elected Majority liberal Government.
We will work in partnership with industry to:
- Maximise the economic and social benefits that tourism delivers, in every corner of our State, underpinning jobs in all local communities.
- Continue our nationally-recognised T21 industry partnership model to drive tourism outcomes and harness the energy and resources of four Regional Tourism Organisations and the Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania, and operators at a local level.
- This Government acknowledges that Tourism Tasmania will be operating in a highly competitive marketplace as the world recovers after COVID and must have the capacity to do so aggressively and effectively. The continuation of marketing funding at the minimum of the current level, beyond 2021/2, estimated to be up to $6 million per annum, will be dealt with in the 2022/3 budget.
This approach will see tourism continue to be one of the State’s largest employers of Tasmanians, while ensuring all Tasmanians can reap the benefit of a flourishing visitor economy.
This Government will also commit to the continuation of the Premier’s Visitor Economy Advisory Council (PVEAC).
Under a re-elected Majority Liberal Government, a Liberal Premier will also remain the Minister for Tourism.
Investing $8.45 million into unique tourism product
Tasmania is already recognised as a must-visit destination due to its range of pristine natural environment, its depth and diversity of cultural experiences and its amazing events and produce.
It is critical that we work with industry to continually enhance and expand our product range and particularly focus on those products that are strongly Tasmanian.
Showcasing our maritime heritage, with a $1.25 million investment into the Wooden Boat Centre at Franklin
Our maritime heritage is incredibly rich and yet relatively understated.
There is an opportunity to bring together all the elements of this heritage underpinned by a hub in the form of the Wooden Boat Centre, where not only the stories of our maritime past are told and presented, but where the artisanal skills of boat building are still taught and enjoyed.
In addition to the tourism value of this Centre there are significant training and educational benefits that can be optimised.
The Wooden Boat Centre is a unique facility in the Southern Hemisphere and its classes are sought after by people from all around the world.
It is also proposed that this initiative will provide an outcome for the SS Cartela as an important element of the future precinct.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will provide $1.25 million to the Wooden Boat Centre to enable it to expand its training and tourism interpretation capacity.
Providing a further $2.7 million into the exciting Transformer Project at Ida Bay
Previously known as Project X, this exciting initiative will be located at the Ida Bay Reserve.
The exhibit will be the work of world-renowned artist Doug Aitken and is being project managed by Dark Lab.
Transformer will be a year-round attraction that will combine the elements of nature, natural light, architecture and ecology and will be truly unique to Australia. It is scheduled to open in June 2022.
We will provide $2.7 million, with the balance of funding to be contributed by both the Australian Government and MONA.
Awakening our convict heritage, with a $1.25 million Convict Heritage Hub in the Penitentiary Chapel in Hobart
Tasmania’s convict heritage is unique and filled with rich stories that link us to our past and to the rest of the world.
This colourful history will be further embellished through the establishment of a Convict Heritage Hub in the Penitentiary Chapel in Hobart.
This facility will be a central hub for Tasmania’s fascinating convict trails and our existing attractions including Port Arthur, Maria Island and Sarah Island.
The descendants of the 75,000 convicts transported to Tasmania now number over 5 million worldwide.
The virtual presentation of our vast records of convict history will provide an immersive opportunity for local and international visitors to trace convict movements throughout the State and across the globe and learn the stories of their ancestors.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will provide $1.25 million to the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority to oversee the establishment of the hub and manage this attraction.
Enhancing the Don River Railway with $2 million to develop a world class rail experience
Rail journeys are a significant motivator for people to visit our State.
There is a great opportunity for Tasmania to establish a world class tourism rail experience and one that would be unique to Australia by combining heritage rail rolling stock along our coastal scenery.
The Don River Railway offers now a quality educational and tourist experience.Its team has identified the opportunity to take this to the next level with a range of offers that will drive interstate, and ultimately international visitation to the State’s North West, as well as servicing an existing strong local community following.
The critical first step is to install necessary line infrastructure (switches) to enable access to the TasRail mainline.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will provide $2 million to develop this world class experience.
Creating a new short walks destination in the Meander Valley with a $500,000 investment
Bushwalking and hiking continue to be major drivers of visitation to Tasmania, with a strong focus on multi-day experiences.
It is important we build the range of options for those visitors that appreciate the opportunity to build in short duration walks to their overall itinerary.
The Meander Valley has been identified by industry, Visit North Tasmania and the local Council as an ideal area for this type of activity.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will commit $500,000 over two years to realise this opportunity.
Building the tourism potential of Tasmania’s Aboriginal Heritage with $750,000 over three years
An opportunity clearly identified in the T21 Visitor Economy Action Plan and by each of the four Regional Tourism Organisations is the engagement with the Tasmanian Aboriginal community to identify and promote in an appropriate manner the range of rich cultural and location-based experiences throughout the State.
It is critical this opportunity be pursued through culturally appropriate and inclusive engagement with Aboriginal people. It must be nurtured in a sustained and practical manner, ensuring that these stories and products are interpreted appropriately.
The ground breaking wukalina walk operated by palawa Enterprises will be provided support under this initiative to enable it to reach self-sufficiency and set the standard for new Aboriginal operated experiences that will be identified through this initiative.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will commit $750,000 over three years to this initiative.
Identifying the tourism potential of the Far North-West, with an analysis of opportunities through a $275,000 investment with local industry, and a $2.75 million investment to revitalise the Edge of the World experience at Arthur River*.
The Far North-West region has a disproportionate reliance on the visitor economy but low levels of investment in visitor infrastructure and experiences.
The Liberal Government commissioned a “Re-imagining the NW” Report which identified a number of opportunities for the area.
What is required now is for further analysis of the opportunities to be undertaken through demand testing and viability considerations.
West by North West Tourism will undertake “Project FNW” to understand the best development opportunities for enhancing tourism and growing demand through new and diversified visitor experiences in the area.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will commit $275,000 to this critical project with the objective of identifying with local industry where the genuine sustainable opportunities exist.
To get the ball rolling, and encourage visitors to venture further west than Stanley, we will provide funding of $2.75 million to revitalise the ‘Edge of the World’ experience at Arthur River.
Currently, the far north-west region receives about 150,000 visitors, yet only about 30,000 venture further west than Stanley. This project will provide another high-quality natural attraction to draw visitors to the coast and provide a reason to stay another night.
The upgrade will:
- Provide new and increased car parking infrastructure.
- Construct a new non-obtrusive, all-weather shelter offering visitors the opportunity to take in the breathtaking vista of the west coast landscapes and the pounding Southern Ocean.
- Provide interpretative materials (in consultation with the Aboriginal Communities) which highlight the outstanding values of the Western Tasmania Aboriginal Cultural Landscape.
It is anticipated that construction on this project will commence in 2023-24 and that it will be completed in 2025-26.
Developing a world-class Visitor Information Technology model, with a $1 million investment over two years, with the East Coast and the West Coast pilots for this project
Today’s travellers are discerning and better informed than ever about the destination they are travelling to.
A critical competitive element in motivating people to commit and then maximise their visit is to provide current, accurate and comprehensive information and advice in an easily accessible and efficient manner.
A holistic, multi-faceted model is required that incorporates both bricks and mortar information centres and quality digital information delivered via easily promotable and accessible technology channels.
The model must cater to the needs of travellers prior to arrival and during their visit to the State.
Consistency of language, technology and accessibility throughout the State is key.
Central to this is the enhancement of the Discover Tasmania website and the creation of digital tools that will equip our regional service providers with consistent and current information to share with visitors.
The model will incorporate a new Ambassador/Host program that equip industry and local communities to provide visitors with a consistent Tasmanian welcome and support.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will commit $1 million over two years to this project.
Supporting the tourism industry’s goal to become a carbon neutral destination by waiving registration for electric vehicles purchased by car rental companies and coach operators for two years
There is a very real opportunity for Tasmania to become a genuine carbon neutral tourism destination which would place the Tasmanian tourism industry in a unique global position.
In line with this Government’s broader climate goals, tourism can lead the way through a tangible initiative to facilitate the gradual transition of the State’s rental car and coach fleets towards electric vehicles.
To support car rental and coach operators to adopt electric vehicle technology, a re-elected Majority Liberal Government will:
- Waive vehicle registration for electric vehicles purchased for the next two years.
As these fleets are replenished regularly with vehicles making their way into the used car market there will be the downstream effect of more EVs entering the general vehicle market.
This initiative is in addition to other Liberal commitments to support greater uptake of EVs including a further investment of $600,000* in grants towards our State-wide electric vehicle charging network for our regions and key tourism destinations.
The expected cost is $1 million over two years for this transformative initiative.
Elevating the attraction of Tasmania as a preferred destination for business events, with a $2.4 million Business Events Attraction Fund
The Business Events, meetings, incentives and exhibition market is an extremely competitive one, yet it generates significant economic benefit with high yielding, and not as seasonally influenced.
In order to be competitive, Business Events Tasmania must be equipped to build on the State’s reputation as a world class business event destination for small to medium sized opportunities.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will commit a further $1.2 million over four years to Business Events Tasmania to bolster the Business Events Attraction Fund to a total of $2.4 million
Provision of a $50 million Interest Free Loan Program
In recognition of the unprecedented impact of the COVID pandemic has had on our tourism industry, a re-elected Majority Liberal Government will provide a $50 million interest free loan scheme to enable our tourism businesses to develop their products so that Tasmania is the most sought after destination in the country as we rebuild from COVID and travel returns to normal.
In order to enable our industry and its product to be nation leading and world class, Government will make available an interest free loan scheme that will provide individual businesses with interest free loans up to $1 million for three years.
Liberals delivering for tourism:
- Directed the TT Line Board to proceed with the purchase of the two new Spirit vessels for TT Line with the first due to arrive in 2023 and the second in 2024 and guaranteed a local spend of $100 million in the agreement.
- Reintroduced direct air travel between New Zealand and Tasmania after a 20-year hiatus, through an underwriting agreement with Air New Zealand.
- $10 million in partnership funding towards the cost of development of the interim terminal facility to enable the border processing of regular international passenger flights.
- $1.5 million to enable tourism businesses undertake carbon audits and implement measures to maximise opportunities to drive the shared T21 goal of becoming a carbon positive destination.
- $600,000 in grants, if re-elected, towards fast-charging and destination stations in regional Tasmanian locations and key tourism destinations
- Initiated Hobart to King and Flinders Islands flights from September 2020, and if re-elected, will extend service to March 2022. Total commitment of $1.75 million.
- Delivering Tasmania’s next Iconic Walk in the Tyndall Ranges with a $20 million commitment.
- $12.5 million Make Yourself at Home travel voucher – resulted in close to $40 million spend throughout regional Tasmania, with intrastate trips by Tasmanians increasing 51% over the period.
- Successfully lobbied for $6 million extension of the Bass Strait Vehicle Equalisation Scheme.
- $8 million Innovation and Tourism development Grant program to expedite key strategic product initiatives in consultation with industry.
- $4 million commitment capped at $100,000 per operation to support key attractions and experiences as they rebuild from the COVID-19.
- $1 million Travel Agent Support Fund providing grants capped at $100,000 to support agencies continue trading and securing jobs.
- $1 million for industry led Registered Training Organisations.
- $92,200 to Don River Railway for Business Plan.
- $600,000 to Tasmanian Association of Tourist Railways to assist them in meeting the cost of insurance.
- In excess of $40 million to for upgrading key National Parks and Reserves, including Freycinet National Park and Maria Island.
- $8 million support to the West Coast Wilderness railway to offset the impacts of COVID and enable the iconic experience to maintain operations.
- In excess of $20 million to PAHSMA to offset the impacts of COVID and enable this iconic experience to maintain operations.
Costings:
The cost of this policy is $32.9 million over five years which includes $3 million for loan interest coverage for three years on a $50 million loan package.
*Costed against other portfolio policies.
*Pre-pandemic job and economic numbers.