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Press Release
Huon Trail Tourism Initiative
21 March 2008
The Minister for Economic Development and Tourism, Paula Wriedt said a new campaign co-funded under the State Government’s Tourism Promotion Plan (TPP) is encouraging visitors to spend more time in the Huon Valley.
“This campaign is the result of a collaborative effort between local tourism operators and the Huon Valley and Kingborough Councils,” Ms Wriedt said.
“Grants were made available to groups of regional tourism operators and local tourism associations to increase their collective marketing dollars.”
The TPP provided a $50,000 co-operative marketing grant for this regional marketing campaign, which features four unique and inspiring signature experiences.
These are being marketed as a wildlife eco cruise with Bruny Island Charters; forest fun at Tahune Airwalk; a foodies adventure on the lawn at Peppermint Bay; and a spectacular underground walk at Hastings Caves.
“A website has been developed with details of the experiences, all of which are found on the Huon Trail Touring Route,” Ms Wriedt said.
“The website www.tasmania4adventure.com.au forms part of the marketing campaign, and invites visitors to take a drive along the route.
“It also has a competition to win a four-night adventure holiday for two people each month until May.
“In recent years, the Huon Trail region has performed very well in terms of increasing the number of visitors to the region, however many of these have been on day trips from Hobart.
“The main goal of this regional marketing campaign has been to increase the amount of time visitors spend in the region.
“While there has been a slight increase in visitor numbers to the region, tourism operators have reported strong growth of about 20% in the length of stay of overnight visitors in the region as well as increased spending.
“The initiative promotes four full-day signature adventures, which encourages visitors to stay two-three nights in the region.
“The manager of the Tall Timbers Hotel at Smithton told me that his local association’s TPP funded cooperative marketing campaign last year contributed to record occupancy levels during winter last year.
“These were fantastic results during a traditionally quieter part of the year for tourism businesses,” Ms Wriedt said.