Building on tourism

Premier promises $83m to boost industry ‘in every corner of state’

A RE-ELECTED Gutwein government would spend $83m to boost the state’s tourism industry, the Premier announced on Friday.

Prominent among the promises was a $50m interest-free loan program to help tourism businesses expand.

Among the other pledges was $6m for Tourism Tasmania marketing, $2.7m towards the Transformer project at Ida Bay Reserve, $1.25m to the Franklin Wooden Boat Centre and $2m for the Don River Railway.

During a visit to Franklin which included a robust exchange of views with local conservationists, Mr Gutwein said the state’s tourism industry was world-class and supported about 43,200 direct and indirect jobs and about $3.6bn of economic activity.

“We have invested significantly in tourism since coming to government, and we will work in partnership with industry to ensure the economic and social benefits that tourism delivers can continue, in every corner of our state,” he said.

The Liberals on Friday also announced $8m over four years to support and develop the hospitality sector, with $2.25m over three years to go towards developing a longterm plan for the industry — Hospitality 2030, in collaboration with the Tasmanian Hospitality Association.

Hospitality Minister Sarah Courtney said $600,000 would go towards initiatives aimed at boosting the number of women in the sector and in leadership roles.

The THA is a major Liberal Party donor.

“What this is going to do is support the THA to look at programs and opportunities to both increase participation of women in hospitality, but importantly also look at leadership,” Ms Courtney said.

And $1m will go towards establishing a regional hospitality revival fund providing grants of up to $1500 for pubs, restaurants and cafes outside Hobart and Launceston.

The Tasmanian Hospitality Association welcomed the announcements.

“We’re so pleased and proud that both major parties have recognised the value of the sector and what our venues provide to the Tasmanian community and the economy,” THA CEO Steve Old said.

And Tourism Industry Council Tasmania CEO Luke Martin hailed the policy as comprehensive.

“The Liberals’ tourism policy is comprehensive, ambitious and directed into the areas that will ensure we recover from COVID as quickly as any major tourism destination in the world,” he said.