Tourism Talk – Industry Newsletter

Issue 283 - 15 December 2009

Package to Boost Investment and Jobs in North West and Northern Tasmania

The Australian and Tasmanian Governments have announced a combined $20 million package to boost investment and jobs in North West and Northern Tasmania.

Of the $20 million, $17 million is available under the Innovation and Investment Fund, a competitive, merit-based program aimed at companies seeking $50,000 or more in grant funds for investments that create sustainable job opportunities in North West and Northern Tasmania.

The fund is now open for applications.

Applications close 1 February 2010.

The other component of the package is a $3 million Regional Assistance Program (RAP-Tas) for those seeking less than $50 000. Tasmania's Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts will administer the program.

The RAP-Tas Program will include $2.5 million to help small to medium businesses undertake projects that will stimulate employment opportunities and $500 000 for skills initiatives.

The RAP-Tas guidelines will be available from 22 December 2009 on the Department of Economic Development website.

Information sessions on RAP-Tas, planned for January 2010, will be advertised shortly.

Organisations can register their interest with Business Point on 1800 440 026 or via email businesspoint@development.tas.gov.au. All registered organisations will be forwarded a copy of the program guidelines as soon as they become available.

For further information on RAP-Tas telephone 1800 440 026.

 See media release

New Tourism Hub for Burnie

Burnie has a new tourism drawcard with the opening of the $5.3 million Burnie Makers’ Workshop.

The Burnie Makers’ Workshop will be the cultural tourism hub for visitors to Burnie.

As the new home of the Burnie Visitor Information Centre, it will also be an important information source for visitors to Burnie and the North-West region.

The centre will also house the popular local attraction, Creative Paper, and showcase the region’s high-quality art, craft and produce by providing a number of working art studios and a flexible gallery space.

The centre will also provide opportunities for young and established artists and artisans to showcase their skills.

The Burnie Makers’ Workshop is the result of a collaborative, long-term tourism strategy for the region that has helped Burnie become a vibrant and creative town of makers, proud of their industrial heritage of papermaking and the arts.

The State Government contributed $2 million towards the project combined with the $1.8 million grant from the Australian Government.

Zone Marketing Success Story

The Launceston Tamar and the North Zone Marketing Group has partnered with totaltravel.com to feature their zone on the total travel website from Tuesday 1st December.

With over 1.5 million visitors a month,totaltravel.com is Australia's biggest and busiest online travel guide and two-time winner of the Best Travel and Tourism Website award in Australia.

Launceston Tamar and the North is the featured destination and will be promoted through the website and the total travel newsletter, sent to over 430,000 subscribers.

The partnership was entirely brokered by the Launceston, Tamar and the North Zone Marketing Group and is a good example of how zones can proactively engage in their own marketing campaigns and extend their audience reach into interstate markets.

No Leave, No Life Magazine – Advertising Opportunities

Advertising opportunities are now open for the 3rd edition of Tourism Australia's No Leave, No Life tactical magazine.

The format of the magazine will be similar to the previous edition; sections will be split by State or Territory and special offers will make up the majority of the magazine (63%), with the rest consisting of supporting editorial (37%) based around tips on holiday ideas and how to win the work-life battle.

The cost for a quarter page module is less than $1,000 (excluding GST) making this opportunity affordable for more industry partners.

A total of 750,000 copies will be distributed in The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Australian on 3 and 4 March 2010 and via sampling in CBDs.

Booking deadline is Thursday 28nd January 2010.

To book contact Scott Brunelle or Helen Sykes, telephone 0400 481 989, email nlnladvertising@acpmagazines.com.au

For further details see Flyer [PDF 500KB]

Airline Boost for Northern Tasmania

QantasLink is increasing its services and capacity into Northern Tasmania.

From 1 February QantasLink will be running three additional Melbourne-Launceston return services a week operated by Q400 aircraft and one additional Melbourne-Devonport return service a week, operated by Q400 aircraft.

The additional flights and larger planes will increase capacity on the QantasLink Melbourne-Launceston service by 540 seats per week, and 484 seats per week on the Melbourne-Devonport route. 

Both flight times to Launceston and Devonport from Melbourne on the Q400s will improve from 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 5 minutes.

New Farm Gate Guide

Fruit Growers Tasmania recently launched the 2nd edition of the Tasmanian Fruits Farm Gate Guide.

The inaugural Tasmanian Fruits Farm Gate Guide was released last year and in response to its resounding success the publication will now be published annually.

The Farm Gate Guide has been designed for locals and visitors alike to source some of the freshest fruit direct from the grower.

This year, the guide includes 37 participants - an increase of 50% from last year, with new additions from Bruny Island and the east coast adding to the diversity of fruit growing regions within the guide .

The brochure has also increased from 12 to 16 pages and the print run has increased by 50% as the previous edition was fully distributed within 4 months of release.

Copies are available at all Tasmanian Visitor Centres and on the Discover Tasmania website.

TT-Line reports Smooth Sailing

Tasmania's TT-Line is adapting well in difficult times, having made a profit of nearly $7 million last financial year.

Together, the two Bass Strait ferries carried an extra 5,000 passengers more than the previous year with the company making changes to compete against discount airlines, high fuel costs and the economic downturn.

These include changes to the disembarkation process, adjustments to arrival and departure times in Devonport and Melbourne, additional day sailings to meet demand at busy times through the year, and the introduction of a new booking system.

The company has also cut fuel consumption by using silicone paint on the ships and installing new propellers.

TigerTOUR Update

Recent additions to TigerTOUR, our product database.

Accommodation

  • 43 Degrees Eco Apartments - Adventure Bay (Bruny Island)
  • Studio 26 Bed and Breakfast - Latrobe
  • The Mill House - Somerset
  • Time Out Retreat - Derby
  • Forest Walk Lodge - Deloraine
  • Lifes a Beach - Kingston
  • Batman Fawkner Inn - Launceston
  • Bruny Island Accommodation Services: Echidna
  • Bruny Island Accommodation Services: Wayatih
  • Three Hut Point Waterfront Accommodation - Gordon

Attractions

  • Tasmania on Tour – Sisters Beach
  • Kids Paradise –Launceston
  • St Helens Smoothwater Charters – St Helens

Tourism Tasmania’s Product Consultants can help you update your business details. For more information email TigerTOUR@tourism.tas.gov.au or phone: (03) 6230 8229.

Coming Events

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

One of the world's great blue water classics.

Sat, December 26 2009 - Fri, January 1 2010

See all events