LAUNCESTON needs to attract its own iconic mid-year cultural event to build on booming summer visitor numbers, according to the state's peak tourism industry body. Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin yesterday said events to complement AFL matches and the V8 Supercars would allow operators to build on record peak season numbers. "Hobart operators can bank on having Dark Mofo, the Festival of Voices and football," Mr Martin said. "In Launceston the challenge is greater - the challenge is going to be to find two to three other events that complement what the region is already doing well," he said. Tasmanian Hospitality Association figures showed Northern hoteliers experienced the busiest January on record, with occupancy rates at 82.6 per cent. THA general manager Steve Old said as the state headed into the off-peak season, major events became critical. "Not only do they attract people from other parts of the country and even overseas, but they mobilise locals who also help the economy by visiting cafes and restaurants," he said. Mr Martin said an iconic cultural event for the North was an obvious opportunity. "Launceston needs something that is distinctive and unique in its own region that people can only go and see there," Mr Martin said. Mr Martin said attracting conferences and conventions over the winter months also gave hoteliers a needed mid-year boost. Launceston Chamber of Commerce and Industry executive officer Maree Tetlow said meetings had been held between the Launceston City Council and stakeholders on getting events up and running. Ms Tetlow said winter events that harnessed food and warmth would draw people into the city. "It gets them out of their home and encourages people to embrace the seasonality - and visitors would also love the seasonality. "Football is good because it occurs during the winter months - it has been a big opportunity for us," Ms Tetlow said. She said events that complemented existing events were key.
LAUNCESTON needs to attract its own iconic mid-year cultural event to build on booming summer visitor numbers, according to the state's peak tourism industry body.
Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin yesterday said events to complement AFL matches and the V8 Supercars would allow operators to build on record peak season numbers.
"Hobart operators can bank on having Dark Mofo, the Festival of Voices and football," Mr Martin said.
"In Launceston the challenge is greater - the challenge is going to be to find two to three other events that complement what the region is already doing well," he said.
Tasmanian Hospitality Association figures showed Northern hoteliers experienced the busiest January on record, with occupancy rates at 82.6 per cent.
THA general manager Steve Old said as the state headed into the off-peak season, major events became critical.
"Not only do they attract people from other parts of the country and even overseas, but they mobilise locals who also help the economy by visiting cafes and restaurants," he said.
Mr Martin said an iconic cultural event for the North was an obvious opportunity.
"Launceston needs something that is distinctive and unique in its own region that people can only go and see there," Mr Martin said.
Mr Martin said attracting conferences and conventions over the winter months also gave hoteliers a needed mid-year boost.
Launceston Chamber of Commerce and Industry executive officer Maree Tetlow said meetings had been held between the Launceston City Council and stakeholders on getting events up and running.
Ms Tetlow said winter events that harnessed food and warmth would draw people into the city.
"It gets them out of their home and encourages people to embrace the seasonality - and visitors would also love the seasonality.
"Football is good because it occurs during the winter months - it has been a big opportunity for us," Ms Tetlow said.
She said events that complemented existing events were key.
