The Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania is spot on with its assessment that 2019 will be the “Year of the North” in terms of tourism and special events.
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The Hodgman Liberal government knows that encouraging more tourists to stay longer in regional areas creates jobs and boosts the economy.
Northern tourism operators have never been more upbeat and the combination of new hotels and showcase events will turn the tourism focus firmly to Northern Tasmania.
The year kicks off with Mona Foma on January 18-20 followed by the iconic Festivale food and wine extravaganza on February 1-3 and the Launceston Cup on February 27.
Launceston’s magnificent Cataract Gorge will host the who’s who of the national and international tourism world with the 2018 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards on March 1.
The award-winning Launceston Airport continues to welcome record numbers as visitors flock to the North for our world-class cellar doors and eateries, the mountain bike Enduro World Series on March 31, Supercars at Symmons Plains, Hawthorn at UTAS Stadium and the World Flying Fishing Championships later in 2019.
The spectacular Silo Hotel will celebrate its first birthday in June, planning has been finalised for the Gorge Hotel and construction is underway on the Hotel Verge.
Visitors are also finding that Northern Tasmania is a great launch pad into other regions, whether that is west to Cradle Mountain or east through to Scottsdale, Derby and down the East Coast’s Great Eastern Drive.
The Tasmanian Government has a target of $2.5 billion in visitor spending by 2020 and importantly we want 50,000 tourism-related jobs by 2022 to ensure that everyone shares the benefits of Tasmania’s tourism growth.
The Hodgman Liberal Government’s strategy of encouraging visitors to stay in regional areas longer is clearly working with the North, North-East and East Coast enjoying record growth and the economic benefits and jobs that flow from this increase.
We also welcome the enthusiasm and commitment from tourist operations and the professional bodies like TICT, Tourism Tasmania through Events Tasmania, Tourism Northern Tasmania and local councils for co-ordinating their efforts to maximise the benefits for this region.
- Sarah Courtney a Liberal Bass MHA