Thursday 18 October 2007

TASMANIANS ENCOURAGED TO EXPLORE OUR ISLAND
The Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environment, Paula Wriedt, has today announced another initiative encouraging Tasmanians to explore their island home.

Ms Wriedt launched Our Island, a magazine dedicated to showing Tasmanians the fantastic range of experiences on offer in their home state.

200,000 copies of the magazine will be distributed state-wide this weekend, thanks to a special partnership with Tasmania’s three major newspapers.

“As Tasmanians we are lucky to live in one of the world’s most desirable tourist locations,” Ms Wriedt said.

“This new magazine is full of information and captivating imagery to entice locals to discover our own rich heritage.
“It showcases events and attractions, wilderness and wildlife, and our superb local produce,” Ms Wriedt said.

“And we are lucky to have three supportive daily newspapers, The Mercury, Advocate and Examiner, who are all committed to promoting intrastate tourism.

“The magazine celebrates the experiences and places that are uniquely Tasmanian, and highlights some of the state’s best beaches, favourite walking tracks, top coffee shops, or perfect picnic spots.

“Our Island forms part of Tourism Tasmania’s campaign to increase Tasmanians’ knowledge of regional destinations.

“It will stimulate interest and pride in Tasmanian tourism opportunities, and encourage locals to travel more widely and more often in their home state.

“This comes hot-on-the-heels of the launch last month of our own dedicated TV series Discover Tasmania, and the airing of new television commercials in WIN and Southern Cross Television from Wednesday.

“The State Government is very proud of the enormous success that the Discover Tasmania TV series has achieved in its first four episodes – averaging nearly 80,000 viewers each week,” Ms Wriedt said.

For further information contact Tourism Tasmania's Communications Unit

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