With New Zealand borders opening on Monday April 19, we will welcome the first of our international markets, safely, reconnecting with Australia.
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As a kiwi-born Tasmanian I have to admit to being more than a little relieved that a planned visit to the homeland this winter looks more likely.
The tourism industry in Tasmania will view the influx of Kiwis via Air New Zealand's Auckland to Hobart flights, as a welcome addition to the Tasmanian and interstate travellers we have come to rely upon this past year.
In 2019 we hosted just over 20,000 New Zealanders for a variety of reasons.
With direct flights accessing 1.7million Aucklanders for the first time since 1998, we can safely assume this number will increase in the coming years.
Before you know it, we will be brushing up on our Kia Oras and refining our arguments as to who owns pavlova and Crowded House. For the record NZ is willing to cede any rights to Russell Crowe without a fight - he is all yours.
I can personally attest to the fact that Kiwis do find Tasmania very appealing and are intrigued to come here.
I married a local Tasmanian girl after all.
We have many similarities both culturally and in terms of the natural beauty of our islands. We both are the butt of often-crude jokes from mainland Australians, but we are also both seen as attractive destinations that said jokesters want to visit.
We also have distinct differences which create the intrigue Tasmania has capitalised upon in marketing to Australians over the past eight years.
Tourism Tasmania's marketing campaign 'Come Down For Air' - currently airing in New Zealand and soon to be again on mainland Australia channels - promotes how Tasmania encourages you to feel more human, celebrating everything about our home state.
Our isolation as an island that has allowed us to be more inventive and less mainstream; our embrace of quality over quantity in all things; our community's connection with the natural landscape - often lost to those living in big cities; and over time our journey in becoming more confident to accept and share our history with others.
But it is not all one-way traffic. We also have to appreciate the competitive pressure New Zealand reopening represents, as many Australians will consider Aotearoa as an alternate destination to domestic places.
While other Australian destinations will promote their big city lights, beaches and ski fields, we'll be offering an 'anti-ordinary' ... holiday ideas that are truly Tasmanian.
You can almost feel the fear mounting in mainland ski resorts like Mt Buller and Hotham.
New Zealand as a winter destination whether you snow ski or sightsee is not a competitor to take lightly - a fact I can attest to having worked extensively in the NZ tourism industry prior to coming to Tasmania.
Thankfully we have been working closely with our local tourism businesses to be part of Tourism Tasmania's winter marketing campaign targeting mainlanders, motivating travellers to come to Tassie for what makes our cool season, so cool.
While other Australian destinations will promote their big city lights, beaches and ski fields, we'll be offering an 'anti-ordinary' series of compelling holiday ideas that are truly Tasmanian.
Where you may be able to ski in Victoria, we want to invite you to bring the kids to Tassie for snow play at Ben Lomond or Cradle Mountain.
You could go to a big event in Melbourne or book tickets for an intimate small group pinot noir and truffle experience in the Tamar Valley.
Go waterfall hunting in the Meander Valley and finish with a Tasmanian whisky by the fire in a cosy bed and breakfast.
And let us not forget our city's appeal. Launceston is an ultimate boutique city.
We back onto a world-renowned wine valley, we are the gateway to Australia's mountain bike mecca of Blue Derby and we are home to some of the nation's most compelling heritage and stories. When played out on a backdrop of our natural appeals, the Cataract Gorge and Tamar River, it means we rival anything offered by other regional cities in Australia.
No matter our similarities, these appeals are also relative to our cousins across the ditch.
We cannot just rely on Tourism Tasmania to do all the heavy lifting, as an industry and as Tasmanians in general we all need to be ready to share through our social media and business channels why Tassie this winter is one not to miss.
For more information on how to get involved, any tourism related business should go to www.tourismtasmania.com.au/
- Chris Griffin, CEO Visit Northern Tasmania