At a time when government business enterprises are struggling to turn a profit, it must be reassuring to all involved that our tourism industry is so buoyant that our twin ferries are reporting record levels of travellers across Bass Strait.
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Earlier this year, TT-Line announced an after tax profit of almost $19 million for the last financial year – it’s second highest profit (after tax) ever recorded and the 10th straight year it had achieved an underlying profit.
That’s good on three separate fronts.
Firstly, it adds much-needed finances to the state’s treasury.
Second, it helps reinforce our tourism industry. Record numbers of travellers coming to Tasmania means a stronger tourism industry, more nights in hotels, more bums on seats in restaurants and in our shops.
Thirdly, it gives the government some security in the knowledge it can plan for the future replacement of the two aging vessels at some stage in the not-too-distant future.
Air travel will always be the preferred method of transport to and from Tasmania.
But if TT-Line can provide a viable second option for travellers, all the better. And people are definitely responding to that option, highlighted by record numbers of passengers and vehicle bookings on the two ferries.
According to the government, as of mid-November, those booking figures were up almost 7 per cent compared with the same time last year. That’s an extra 18,000 bookings.
In terms of sheer passenger numbers, this figure has pushed over 419,000 people – a 27 per cent increase over the past three years. This growth in demand forced TT-Line to put on more crossings – 45 extra day sailings following the two recent refurbishments.
Despite both undergoing those upgrades, the two ferries will still need to be replaced.
It’s an imperative that travellers can enjoy the experience of sailing across Bass Strait by offering comfort with a certain level of entertainment. If they were just after expediency, they’d fly.
In November, Treasurer Peter Gutwein tabled laws to protect a special fund of, initially, $80 million to replace the two vessels some time into the future.
If Tasmania is to continue to grow its tourism branding, then the future replacement of the two Spirits must be a priority within the next 10 years or sooner.
