Tourism Talk – Industry Newsletter

Issue 268 - 18 May 2009

Tasmania’s Temptations Holidays to Close

The State Government announced on 6 May 2009 that it would be closing Tourism Tasmania's wholesale travel business, Tasmania’s Temptations Holidays, effective 30 September 2009.

Thirty years ago, Tourism Tasmania’s Temptations Holidays was the primary way for Tasmanian travel and tourism products to be seen and bought in the national and international marketplace. The world today is a vastly different place: consumers are now connecting with holiday information in a range of ways and through a variety of distribution channels.

Over the past three years, Tourism Tasmania has redefined the way it does business in order to remain competitive in the challenging global tourism market.

Despite significant efforts by Tas Temps to grow the business, its financial performance has eroded. In its current operating form, over this Financial Year and the next two subsequent years, losses to the business will aggregate to nearly $10 million.

These losses are despite visitation to the state continuing to grow to record levels over the past three years. Clearly, the market failure that existed 30 years ago, requiring the Government to operate a wholesale travel business, no longer exists.

Consequently, the Government is going to market to seek a potential purchaser for Tasmania’s Temptations Holidays business and brand name, and cease its operations on 30 September 2009.

A new, restructured Tourism Tasmania Contact Centre will be created and takes effect from 1 July 2009 to suit the strategic needs of the organisation.

This decision allows Tourism Tasmania to focus on providing comprehensive support and development opportunities to the Tasmanian tourism industry through a refocused distribution partnership team and the recently launched Tas e-Connect initiative.

For further information please contact the Help Desk on 1300 303 259.

Small Business And General Business Tax Break - Updated Following Budget 2009

To support jobs and Australian business, the Australian Government will fund an investment tax break (for eligible assets, including computer hardware and software) for all Australian businesses. 

Small businesses only need to invest a minimum of $1,000 per asset in order to qualify for the tax break. The increased tax break provides small business with an even greater incentive to invest in new capital items, such as computer hardware and business vehicles, and to make capital improvements to existing machinery and equipment.

Small businesses will now be able to claim an increased bonus tax deduction of 50 per cent – up from 30 per cent previously of the cost of eligible assets costing $1,000 or more acquired between 13 December 2008 and 31 December 2009, and installed by 31 December 2010. 

All other businesses can continue to access the Tax Break at 30 per cent for eligible assets contracted for prior to 30 June 2009 and 10 per cent for eligible assets that they commit to investing in between 1 July 2009 and 31 December 2009. 

The tax break will also be available for new expenditure on existing assets, as well as for new assets, so upgrades to existing computer equipment will also be eligible, as well as purchase of new equipment.

For more detailed information and some worked examples see the website of the Innovation Minister in conjunction with the Treasurer.

Tassie Den Breakfast

You are invited to a pre game breakfast at Aurora Stadium on Sunday 14th June, prior to their Hawks game against the Brisbane Lions. Those attending will enjoy a pre-game breakfast, with premium beverages, and an exclusive presentation by Alastair Lynch before making their way to a reserved seat at the game.

The breakfast will be held at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, 9:30am to 11:30am

The cost of attending is:

  • Breakfast only: $100 per person
  • Breakfast and match: $150 per person

For further information contact:

Andrew McLeish at the Lions Victorian Office
Tel: 03 8850 5602 or 0412 865 555
Email: amcleish@lions.com.au

Big4 Members Boost Local Business

BIG4 Holiday Parks actively encourages tourists to visit hundreds of local businesses each year through their ‘local member benefits program’.

The initiative provides BIG4’s 160,000 members with added value, while encouraging them to support local businesses during their holidays.

There is no cost for local businesses to be involved in the program, they simply need to be able to provide a special offer, discount, or other benefit to BIG4 Members when they present their membership card.

In return, their business is promoted heavily by BIG4 Holiday Parks, giving them guaranteed promotion and exposure through a number of channels both nationally and locally.

Local businesses are promoted on BIG4’s website, and to their 160,000 members and 4 million annual guests.

BIG4 Holiday Parks is a cooperative group of over 180 holiday parks across Australia. their 160,000 members and 4 million annual guests.

For further information contact Holly Gardner 03 8416 6771, Email: holly.gardner@che.com.au

TigerTOUR Update

There are no recent additions to TigerTOUR.

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

Coming Events

Falken Tasmanian Challenge - V8 Supercars
  Fri, 29 May - Sun, 31 May 2009
Launceston

See all events