Industry - Newsletter

OUR ISLAND MAGAZINE MAKES THE NEWS THIS WEEKEND
Look out for Tasmanians’ very own travel magazine in your local newspaper this weekend.

Our Island is full of information and captivating imagery to entice Tasmanians to discover our rich heritage, events and attractions, wilderness and wildlife, and superb local produce.

Two hundred thousand copies of Our Island are being distributed State-wide thanks to a special partnership with Tasmania’s three major newspapers – the Mercury, Advocate and Examiner – which are all committed to promoting intrastate tourism.

The magazine celebrates the experiences and places that are found “only in Tasmania” and encourages Tasmanians to share their inside knowledge of the State’s best beaches, their favourite walking track, their top coffee spots, or the perfect place for a picnic.

“Our Island forms part of Tourism Tasmania’s comprehensive and integrated campaign to increase Tasmanians’ knowledge of regional destinations, stimulate their interest and pride in Tasmanian tourism opportunities, and encourage them to travel more widely and more often in their home State,” said the Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environment, Paula Wriedt.

"On top of this, we now have Tasmanian television advertising back on air with the first commercials running on Southern Cross and Win TV last Wednesday night. Congratulations to Tasmania’s three Regional Tourism Authorities and Tourism Tasmania on the development of these ads. They will help motivate Tasmanians to move around the State, rediscovering the depth and breadth of experiences in their own backyard."

Last month Ms Wriedt launched the intrastate campaign with a preview of the dedicated TV series “Discover Tasmania”. That series has gone on to average nearly 80,000 viewers per week – a huge achievement in a state with a population of just half a million.

LAUNCESTON AIRPORT IS A MILLIONAIRE
Launceston Airport and northern Tasmania are celebrating a significant milestone.

“This is the first time that Launceston Airport has had one million passengers passing through in a single year – confirmation of the popularity of the region as a holiday destination,” said the Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environment, Paula Wriedt.

The milestone of one million passengers in a year comes as Launceston prepares for the exciting arrival of Tiger Airways in Tasmania at the end of November.

“The success of the Government’s partnerships with the State’s airports and the major airlines has seen improved visitor access to our island, resulting in more flights at the right time and the right price,” said Ms Wriedt.

25 YEARS OF WORLD HERITAGE LISTING
An exhibition of iconic images by the world-renowned wilderness photographer Peter Dombrovskis are part of celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

A range of events has been organised to celebrate this significant anniversary, including the Dombrovskis exhibition at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.

Other events and activities in the celebration include:

• a major world heritage exhibition at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery (26 October – 16 December) and Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (21 December – 3 February);
• Tasmanian wilderness exhibits at the Burnie, Launceston and Hobart agricultural shows; and
• an open day on 8 December at Cradle Mountain, Lake St Clair, Mole Creek Karst and Hartz Mountains national parks, as well as the Strahan Customs House.

The Tasmanian wilderness was inscribed on the World Heritage List in December 1982. It covers 1.38 million hectares, representing nearly 20 percent of the State.

This financial year the Tasmanian Government has committed more than $15 million to manage the area, with approximately 170 staff from various agencies spending at least part of their time on World Heritage related work.

BIG DAY OUT PUTS BEST BOOT FORWARD
When much of your working life is spent in Tasmania’s great outdoors, it’s a welcome luxury to slow down for one day a year, get together with your industry colleagues in a comfortable conference venue and catch up on the latest developments in your sector.

Earlier this month, the Backpackers Organisation of Tasmania (BOOT) held its annual “Big Day Out” conference at the Old Woolstore in Hobart, with guest speakers including the Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environment, Paula Wriedt, and the CEO of the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania, Daniel Hannah.

BOOT President Sam Denmead said the conference was a great success, with presentations from industry operators able to share insights into forest tourism, cruising and information technology, among many other relevant topics.

“The range of speakers meant everyone went away having learnt some great new stuff and networked with someone else to their benefit,” said Sam.

“As it was ‘unplugged’, questions from the floor were forthcoming, and group interaction was strong, which was really the most important outcome of the day.

“The pulp mill generated robust discussion. However other relevant matters such as web sites, a whole range of marketing matters, insurance and land and water issues were also of interest.”

In her opening address Ms Wriedt said backpacker tourism played an important role in changing perceptions among travellers who had never visited Tasmania.

“The recommendations and opinions of backpackers have enormous reach and great credibility among their peers,” Ms Wriedt said.

“At the same time, backpackers’ increasing spending power is giving them the opportunity to sample a greater diversity of tourism experiences. As they do so, they spread the word about Tasmania around the globe.

“As well as recognising the ability of backpackers to change the perception of others who have not yet experienced our beautiful State, Tasmanians may also need to reassess their idea of backpackers. Far from being scruffy and short of cash, they are a profitable tourism sector with great potential.”

In addition to sponsoring this year’s “Big Day Out”, Tourism Tasmania is helping the sector gain wide exposure by sponsoring the 2007 Golden Backpacker Awards at the Adventure Travel and Backpacker Industry Conference in Darling Harbour on 7 November.

This conference attracts more than 200 industry participants from Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere overseas.

Immediately following that event, BOOT is participating in the 2007 Adventure Travel and Backpacker Expo, again supported by Tourism Tasmania.

GRUBB SHAFT MUSEUM BELONGS TO THE TAMAR
The Grubb Shaft Museum at Beaconsfield has been transferred from the State Government to the local community, together with $150,000 for building maintenance.

"The transfer of the museum property is a priority to facilitate the development of displays concerning the collapse of part of the Beaconsfield mineshaft last year," said the Minister for Primary Industries and Water, David Llewellyn.

The exhibition is receiving support from the Beaconsfield Community Fund established by the Federal Government to assist recovery from the Beaconsfield mine collapse.

Mr Llewellyn said it was fantastic that all levels of government were working harmoniously to realise projects that would assist the community to recover and move on.

NEW WEBSITE FOR FREYCINET COAST
Freycinet Coast Tourism Board, in conjunction with the Tasmanian South Regional Tourism Association, launched its “Freycinet Coast” web site earlier this month. A new Freycinet Coast brand has been developed through funding from the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council and the Tourism Promotion Plan. Take a look at the results at www.freycinetcoast.com.au.

ARE YOU IN THE RUNNING FOR AN AWARD?
Tourism Tasmania loves to hear your good news.

Have you or your business been nominated for a State, national or international tourism award? Advance notice of a potential accolade will help Tourism Tasmania respond to any media enquires we receive.

To alert us to your nomination, please write to us at reception@tourism.tas.gov.au or GPO Box 399 Hobart 7001 with the details of the award, your nomination category and the date winners are to be announced.

SPIRIT PASSENGERS LOG ON
Passengers aboard Spirit of Tasmania I and II will soon be able to use ATMs, shop with EFTPOS and receive uninterrupted mobile coverage and fast wireless broadband through Telstra’s Next G™ mobile network.

The TT-Line Chairman, Denis Rogers, said he was pleased that Telstra was able to deliver faster connections and continuous coverage aboard the ships.

“This is an impressive technological advancement that will enable everyone on board to remain connected to the outside world while sailing anywhere in Bass Strait,” he said.

CONFERENCES AND TRAINING
Drysdale Wine Evaluation Program
Drysdale Institute is offering a wine evaluation program for employees in the hospitality industry, including workers employed as cellar door and restaurant staff.

The nationally accredited course will be held over four Mondays from 29 October to 19 November inclusive from 6pm to 9pm.

Facilitator Kate Smith has extensive experience in both Australian and international wine industries. Her main areas of service have included contract winemaking for small producers, wine education for industry personnel, and wine tastings for corporate groups. In Tasmania she has done work for Stefano Lubiana Wines, Sugarloaf Ridge, Bruny Island Premium Wines and Pernod Ricard.

For bookings and enquiries phone Jane Dickie on 6233 7150 or email her at Jane.Dickie@tafe.tas.edu.au.

Beach Safety and the Law Summit
Australians love the beach, with up to 55 million visits made annually. The beach is also at the heart of our sea change culture, coastal development and tourism destination image. Keeping beaches safe and providing for sustainable future use is a critical challenge for all of us.

Scheduled for 8-9 November at the Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort and Spa, Gold Coast, this national summit will examine a unique set of legal issues concerning roles and responsibilities for those groups charged with ensuring a visit to the beach is safe and enjoyable.

There is considerable tourism content in the program. Trevor Atherton, solicitor and author of the benchmark book Tourism, Travel and Hospitality Law, will outline current law applying to tourism resorts, hotels and other accommodation providers. High profile Gold Coast lawyer John Witheriff from Minter Ellison will cover the legal roles and responsibilities of tourism operators.

Registration and full summit program details are available at www.beachsafety.qut.edu.au.