Press Release

Thursday 21 June 2007

TOURISM TASMANIA PARTNERSHIPS MAKING NEWS IN NORTH AMERICA
Hot on the heels of a visit to Tasmania by 58 North American travel agents comes news that Tourism Tasmania’s international partnerships are bringing our state recognition in North America.

Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environment, Paula Wriedt, said Goway Travel’s ringing endorsement of Tasmania as an environmentally friendly destination was big news last week on TravelPress.com.

TravelPress.com is an internet site that provides travel agents, tour operators, hoteliers, airline and car rental executives, and others in the Canadian travel trade with travel industry news.

TravelPress reports Goway’s findings that Tasmania is becoming increasingly popular with North American travellers.

“Together with Tourism Tasmania, we have been promoting the state as an environmentally friendly destination,” says Goway president Bruce Hodge, “and our marketing of self-drive and walking holidays are proving effective, because North Americans enjoy those holiday experiences.”

Goway’s news also got a run in Canada’s TravelWeek’s E-blast and trade magazine, which advertises itself as Canada’s best-read travel trade publication.

“Our partnership with Goway offering North Americans the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions associated with their air travel to Tasmania is just one contributor to our reputation as a destination that cares for its environment,” said Ms Wriedt.

“Over recent years, Tasmania has gained high praise in travel magazines for its environmental integrity.

“In 2004 Tasmania was ranked third in the world by an independent panel of more than 200 specialists in sustainable tourism and destination quality, surveyed by National Geographic Traveler magazine.

“More recently, many top-selling international magazines have heaped praise on our iconic natural destinations and tours, including Wineglass Bay, Bay of Fires, Maria Island Walk and Franklin River rafting.”

In more North American news, Tourism Tasmania, in cooperation with food store Balducci's and tour company Aspire Down Under, is supporting a postcard and in-store competition with the prize of a trip for two to Tasmania.

“Balducci’s is one of the largest and most highly regarded specialty food companies in the United States,” said Ms Wriedt.

“It has 10 supermarkets and four restaurants up and down the Eastern seaboard, and its demographic has a household income of USD185,000.”

For the month of June, Balducci’s, in partnership with the Australian Trade Commission, is featuring Australian products, seven of which are Tasmanian – Tasmanian Rain Water, Tasmanian Spiced Cherries, Cripps Shortbread, Blue Hills Honey, Tamar Ridge Wine, Boag’s Beer and King Island Dairy products.

“With seven products participating, Tasmania has the highest representation of any Australian state – not bad for the smallest kid on the block,” said Ms Wriedt.

“The Balducci partnership provides Tourism Tasmania with the opportunity to raise Tasmania’s profile among affluent North American consumers as a destination where they can combine their love of high-quality food and wine with outdoor adventure and spectacular scenery.”

The store is sending postcards offering the opportunity to win a trip to Tasmania to 90,000 of its customers.

In addition, Balducci’s clientele are being directed to Tourism Tasmania’s consumer website for destination information and the website of Aspire Down Under for travel information and bookings.

For further information contact Tourism Tasmania's Communications Unit

(03) 6230 8244
email mediainfo@tourism.tas.gov.au