Tasmania is expected to hold the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in 2019 or 2020, and Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin hopes they’ll come to Launceston. 

The gala, the largest and most prestigious event in the Australian tourism industry, are usually held in capital cities and would attract 800 guests to Launceston. 

They would showcase northern Tasmania to the industry’s leading figures, Mr Martin said.

“I'm putting it out there now and seeing what support there is in the local community,” he said.

While Launceston lacks a venue large enough for the awards, a marquee at University of Tasmania Stadium or the Country Club lawns could house the event, he said.

“It would generate amazing exposure for northern Tasmania among the key stakeholders in Australian tourism, and I think there would be excitement across the industry about hosting the event in a regional centre rather than one of the capital cities,” Mr Martin said.

“It would also obviously fill the whole region up in February, so will have immediate and long term economic benefits for the region.

“By 2019 we should have a couple of new hotels open, and the airlines will always consider putting on additional flights if the demand is there, so I'm confident Launceston could put on a great show.”

Hobart has hosted the awards several times and they have showcased the city, Mr Martin said.

Tourism Northern Tasmania chief executive Chris Griffin said hosting an event on that scale had immediate economic returns. 

“It is very achievable for the city to host this sized event. We will have the new Hotel Silo in operation by the time the event is hosted, provided additional capacity to host an event of this size.”

Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten said attracting the event would be a “fantastic achievement”.

“We are always looking at ways to attract major business events and conferences to the region,” he said.

"The council is demonstrably open for business in this regard, and I look forward to seeing where this idea goes in future and how the council may be able to assist organisations like Tourism Northern Tasmania to bring it to fruition."