New direct flights between Launceston and Adelaide are a positive sign for Northern Tasmanian tourism operators who have suffered a hit with border closures to major tourism markets.
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The Virgin Australia flights are the first between the two cities in more than 20 years and will add 4576 seats a month.
The new direct link is the first major domestic service added to Launceston in more than 10 years with flights to start on September 7 with tickets now on sale ahead of the next school holidays.
The flights will depart Launceston on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 10.30am and will arrive in Launceston on the same days at 9.50am.
Luxury Golf and Scenic Tours Tasmania owner Adam House said that recent lockdowns in NSW and Victoria had severely impacted his business that relies heavily on interstate tourism.
"About 95 per cent of our income is people who fly into Tasmania," he said.
"And about 50 per cent of our income comes from NSW so it's a massive impact."
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Mr House said that he had spoken with South Australian tourists who were hesitant to transit through Melbourne or Sydney, and believed that direct flights would be a popular alternative.
"The transit and the time it takes does put them off a bit, and it's the same reaction I get from people from WA," he said.
Bridestowe Lavender Estate owner Robert Ravens said he felt positive about the new direct flights but that the industry would continue to struggle until more borders reopened.
"Our business is utterly dependent on a flow of tourists for the mainland and international and we've had neither for a year," he said.
''The last few weeks have been shocking, there were positive signs [before that] but they've absolutely vanished now.
"The tourism industry in Tasmania has come to a virtual standstill and anything that can help lift the spirits of the industry and encourage fresh faces from mainland states is a great concept."
Tourism North Tasmania chief executive Chris Griffin said the new flights were a great opportunity for tourism operators but echoed the sentiments of Mr Ravens.
"South Australia has a strong affinity with Tasmania so it's a great opportunity to connect," Mr Griffin said.
"Fingers crossed that by the end of the year we will be looking to these markets as open and fully vaccinated."
Premier Peter Gutwein said the extra flights were a sign of strength in the state's economy, however, encouraged Tasmanians to take advantage of his government's $7.5 million voucher scheme for people to holiday at home. The scheme closed at 5pm on Monday, with recipients to be announced on Wednesday.
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