Tourism

Overview of the Tasmanian tourism industry

Tasmania is an island state located 240 km off the south-east corner of mainland Australia. Encircled by the Southern Ocean, Tasman Sea and Bass Strait, Tasmania is said to have the world's cleanest air, purest water and fertile soils.

Tasmania is noted for its natural beauty and contrasts, dramatic coastlines, rugged mountains, tall forests and sparkling highland lakes. More than 40% of the State is reserved in a network of National Parks and the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, a refuge for rare plants and animals.

The State's economy continues to benefit from a strong tourism industry buoyed by record visitor numbers and visitor expenditure. The Tasmanian Visitor Survey results showed a record 812,200 people visited the State in the twelve months ending March 2007, enabling the State to compete at a global level as a tourism destination.

A key contributor to Tasmania's record tourism growth is the vastly improved access to the State and keen competition between transport carriers.

Industry optimism is also reflected in the level of new tourism infrastructure developments under consideration or construction. As at May 2008 infrastructure development under construction or major approvals in place was estimated to be some $659 million, with a further $261 million at the planning stage under serious consideration. 

Tourism's contribution to the State's economy

Expenditure by interstate visitors increased 5% to $1.8 billion in the year ending March 2008, with the overall spend by visitors to Tasmania topping $1.3 billion.

Expenditure by international visitors continued its strong performance with an overall increase of 12% to $247 million.

The International Visitor Survey shows that Tasmania has maintained its 3% market share of all international visitors to Australia in the year ending June 2008.

Visitors from Asia, Europe, North America and the United Kingdom continued to be Tasmania's largest sources of international visitors during the year to June 2008. Visitors from the United Kingdom are staying longer, with their average stay increasing to 13.4 nights and spending on average $959 per visitor.

A report by the national Tourism and Transport Forum showed that for the March quarter of 2007-08, international visitors spent 1,760,609 visitor nights in the Greater Hobart region, spending on average $130 per night, equating to $228.9 million injected into the local economy.

Direction of Tasmanian tourism

While tourism to Tasmania continues to grow annually, the outstanding rate of growth experienced in recent years is softening. Altered travel patterns, increased competition and rapid technological change are creating a new environment for the Tasmanian tourism industry.

In response to the increased availability of low-cost airfares, Tasmania's visitors are taking shorter and more frequent trips and increasing numbers are coming here to visit friends and relatives.

Investment, particularly in higher standard tourism facilities and services, and the number and value of projects planned and already underway, suggest increased optimism for the future.