Press Release

 

21 September 2008

Hobart In The Top For International Visitors

A report released by the national Tourism and Transport Forum ranks Greater Hobart as the 11th top tourism region in the country in terms of export dollars, the Acting Minister for Tourism, Michael Aird, announced today.

“This report ranks Hobart higher than iconic destinations such as NSW’s Hunter Valley and Queensland’s Whitsunday Islands,” Mr Aird said.

“Once again, Tasmania is punching above its weight when it comes to our tourism performance internationally.”

Mr Aird said the report revealed that for the year ending March 2007-08, international visitors spent 1,760,609 visitor nights in the Greater Hobart region, with an average spend of $130 per night, equating to $228.9 million injected into the local economy.

“The results for the 2007-08 financial year show we are continuing the build on our successful performance with a further increase in the number of nights spent in Greater Hobart.

“Based on the work by the TTF, export earnings for Greater Hobart will have now increased to $229.7 million.

“Increasingly, we compete as a destination not just with other parts of Australia, but with overseas destinations.

“We also face challenges posed by the changing patterns of consumer behaviour and spending, both within Australia and globally, and that is why the international visitation figures are especially pleasing.

“The International Visitor Survey, or IVS, shows that Tasmania has maintained its three per cent 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.

“There were 27,100 visitors from North America during the year ending June 2008, with the growth coming from our Commonwealth cousin, Canada, up 55 per cent on the previous year.

“Meanwhile, visitors from the UK are staying longer, with their average stay increasing to 13.4 nights and an average spend of $959 per visitor.”

Mr Aird said tourism was vital to the Tasmanian economy and Tourism Tasmania was working hard through initiatives such as its New Directions strategy and a renewed emphasis on its international marketing strategy to continue growing the tourism industry.

“The TTF report is testament to the fact that this effort is gaining real traction for Tasmania at a global level,” he said.

Further information: Andrew Rhodes 0412 821 274