Tasmania Being Presented to the World in Mexico City

20 January 2009

Tasmania has once again received international attention with an invitation from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development to speak at a seminar in Mexico on Building Destination Attractiveness through Cultural Tourism, the Acting Minister for Tourism, Jim Cox, announced today.

Mr Cox said only two other locations around the world, besides Tasmania, have been invited to speak at the seminar - Amalfi, Italy and the host location, Mexico City.

“This request is recognition of Tourism Tasmania’s hard work to raise the international profile of Tasmania; more specifically in this instance, the profile of one of Australia’s most significant cultural icons, the Port Arthur Historic Site,” Mr Cox said.

“Port Arthur Historic Site has become one of the most visited attractions in Tasmania, which has led to significant benefits for the local and wider community.

“This invitation is also important recognition of the cooperative approach used to develop the wider destination for visitors. This has involved many partners including the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority, Tasman Council, local community, local tourism association and the State Government, particularly Tourism Tasmania and the Department of Environment, Parks, Heritage and Arts.”

Mr Cox said Australia’s representative at the seminar will be Dr Claire Ellis, Tourism Tasmania’s Director of Infrastructure and Industry Development. Dr Ellis will join fellow speakers John Fahey (President of National Geographic) and Nobel Laureate in Literature, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, on the speaker’s podium.

“Dr Ellis will discuss Australia’s rich cultural past; how acknowledging, conserving, interpreting and integrating this into our contemporary life is critical, and what Tasmania is doing in these areas to strengthen our locations – both as places for people to live and work as well as to visit.”

“She will emphasise that, as for every country of the world, there are many demands on budgets, and funding for natural and cultural heritage must be well supported by regular reports, research and statutory performance monitoring.

“The Port Arthur Historic Site’s ongoing funding from State Government has been critical in allowing long term planning and upgrades of the conservation and visitor experiences at the Site, bringing increased economic and social returns to the surrounding area.”

Dr Ellis’ presentation will highlight how the Port Arthur Historic Site is an outstanding example of how conservation needs and the requirements of tourism can be successfully balanced and managed. One of the hallmarks of this success has been the recent inclusion of the Port Arthur Historic Site on the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Nomination.

Dr Ellis departs for Mexico City tomorrow and will return to Australia on the 27 January. Her flights and accommodation are being funded by the Mexican Ministry for Tourism.

Further information: Rohan Wade (03) 6336 2443 or 0417 051 255