Key Points
A Rebecca White-led Labor Government will deliver a $97.8 million package to support Tasmania’s vibrant tourism, events and hospitality industry.
This package will include an investment of $15 million over three years to secure international flights to Hobart from New Zealand and Asia.
Labor will also deliver a $50 million Visitor Economy Infrastructure and Innovation Loan Scheme of no-interest loans to assist operators to enhance the quality of our tourism experiences.
We will also dedicate $19 million for an Events Attraction and Support Fund to give long-term certainty to events. This funding will help Tasmania secure the future of key events such as the Taste of Summer, Festivale, Mona Foma and a returned Dark MOFO, as well as Tasmanian-based music events like Party in the Paddock.
Labor’s Plan will also:
- Commit to no visitor tax, unlike the Liberals.
- Invest additional funding to Tourism Tasmania for destination marketing.
- Invest $8.5 million in hospitality, with more funds for the excellent Great Customer Experience Program.
- Provide an additional $12 million over three years to continue implementing the T30 Vision, prioritising investment in projects that ensure Tasmania is ready to welcome more visitors on the new Spirit of Tasmania.
- Deliver upgrades to camping and caravan infrastructure.
- Progress the Cradle Mountain cableway with $30 million in funding and work with the Federal Government to make this project a reality.
- Commit to delivering Project Far North West.
- Have the Premier serve as Tourism Minister.
Why we need it
Tasmania’s tourism and hospitality industry is world-class and positively promotes the Tasmanian brand, while contributing more than $3.34 billion to the economy every year.
The sector employs over 15% of the state’s workforce, who are dedicated to showcasing our iconic destinations, unique experiences and high-quality food and beverage offerings. The sector brings millions of people to Tasmania every year who get to enjoy our wonderful island and share in our environment and culture.
“A Labor Government will support the sector and deliver our plan”
All the Liberals have given the tourism sector is a visitor tax announced during the election campaign.
But the industry needs certainty and focus from government to continue to deliver for our state. That’s why a Labor Government, led by Rebecca White as Premier and Tourism Minister, will scrap the tax, support the sector and deliver our Plan.
The Details
Labor’s Plan for tourism, hospitality and events includes the following:
- An additional $15 million over three years to secure international flights from the Hobart International Airport to destinations including New Zealand and Asia.
- Allocating $3 million to support the progress on the initiatives in the Hospitality 2030 Vision over the next three years.
- The Premier to serve as Tourism Minister.
- Continued support for the Great Customer Experience Program with an increase to their funding of $250,000 a year.
- No Visitor Tax.
- Continuation of $250,000 a year in funding for Women in Leadership to support the development of pathways for women into leadership roles in the hospitality and tourism sector.
- Funding of $250,000 a year to ensure people working in the hospitality industry can access the mental health support they need.
- Delivery of the successful HOSPO Health program with funding of $500,000 a year.
- Continuing the Tasmanian Tourism and Hospitality Workforce Advisory Committee (TTHWAC) with an expanded role and with membership to include unions and academics such as a demographer.
- In the first 100 days of a Labor Government ensuring TTHWAC convenes a summit to discuss how to strengthen Drysdale so that it can once again be the centre of excellence for training for the industry.
$12 million over three years for the continued implementation of the T30 Vision, prioritising investments in projects that ensure our state is ready to welcome more visitors on the new Spirit of Tasmania.
Continued funding for Tourism Tasmania’s destination marketing campaigns with an additional $1.5m a year above 2023-24 levels. - Funding of $200,000 a year for the Positive Impact Agenda for Tourism to support operators to reduce their carbon footprint.
- $50 million of no-interest loans under the Visitor Economy Infrastructure and Innovation Loan Scheme.
- $1.3 million in funding over two years for Visitor Experience Training Tasmania, to be reviewed following outcomes of the work from TTHWAC.
- Continued support for the already funded commitments under the 2030 Visitor Economy Strategy.
- An additional $19 million over three years for an Events Attraction and Support Fund.
- Maintaining the Premier's Visitor Economy Advisory Council and the T21 Visitor Economy Strategy.
- Adjustment to the Tourism Industry Council’s grant deed in line with CPI.
- Recommitment to $30 million from the State Government to the Cradle Mountain Visitor Experience Master Plan and to work with the Australian Government to renegotiate shared costs to make the project a reality.
- Commitment to West Coast Wilderness Railway.
- Commitment to delivering the Far North West Project as a priority in consultation with the Australian Government.
- Increased funding to Business Events Tasmania by $600,000 a year to help them bring more high yield business events to Tasmania.
Labor’s plan will maximise our potential as a major drawcard destination, creating secure jobs and allowing our visitor economy to thrive.