Industry protests at Tasmania tourism cuts
Cuts to tourism funding in the Tasmanian budget have been greeted with dismay from industry bodies as they accused the government of placing the state's tourism industry in jeopardy.
Australian Tourism Export Council managing director Felicia Mariani highlighted a 45% decline in Tourism Tasmania's budget over the past six years, down from just over $40 million in 2006/7 to around $22 million this year.
"This decline comes at a time when other state governments have realised the value of investing in marketing their tourism product internationally as a crucial part of their economic base," she said.
'Tasmanian tourism is being left high and dry by this lack of commitment."
Momentum generated by Tourism Tasmania's recent Go behind the Scenery campaign, particularly in the domestic market, risks being lost without ongoing government support, she argued.
Meanwhile, Tourism and Transport Forum chief executive Ken Morrison said the government's commitment of $1 million for cooperative marketing with air and sea carriers would not compensate for the cuts, which he branded a "false economy".
He also predicted the move would discourage private investment in the industry.
"This budget does not acknowledge the importance of the tourism industry to the Tasmanian economy and sens the wrong message to the industry," Morrison said.
He referred to a recent TTF report which showed that tourism accounts for between 6.6% and 7.9% of total employment in the five Tasmanian electorates, thereby making Tasmania the most tourism dependent state in Australia.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
atec felicia mariani ken morrison tasmania tourism tourism tasmania ttfLatest News
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