Tasmania's tourism industry is one of our great success stories, and the Rockliff Liberal Government has worked with industry to develop a new bold and ambitious plan to cement its future as a driver of jobs and our economy for decades to come.
The Government has worked hand in hand with the industry to set a vision for Tasmania's visitor economy through to 2030, which will continue to see Tasmania lead the nation and forge its own path.
Premier and Minister for Tourism, Jeremy Rockliff said the industry's future prosperity was critical for Tasmania.
"Our tourism industry supports over 37,000 jobs while adding billions to our economy, and with the industry once again thriving, this Strategy will lock in its future for the long term," the Premier said.
"In recognition of the industry's contribution to our economy, we're today committing $12 million in new funding over three years to back immediate priorities outlined in the Strategy like boosting the workforce, attracting business events to Tasmania, a 10-year infrastructure plan and stimulating more private investment in tourism products.
"We know that our visitor economy will continue to grow, and that's why the 2030 Visitor Economy Strategy is both a plan for growth, and a plan to manage growth sustainably.
"We will deliver real outcomes to support tourism and hospitality operators to embrace Tasmania's net zero emissions future, aligned with our Tasmanian Climate Action Plan."
The strategy sets eight key directions to grow and manage our visitor economy based on making a positive impact to our community, economy, environment, industry, visitors and Tasmania as a destination.
The Chair of the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania (TICT), Daniel Leesong, said that in a number of areas, Tasmania will be leading the way nationally and forging its own unique path.
"One of these will be in the emissions reduction program that the TICT will be leading, supported by the Tasmanian Government, to help operators understand their emissions profile and then reduce their footprint.
"Our workforce is our single most important asset, and as an industry we'll be ramping up efforts to invest in fit for purpose training, strengthen our ties with the tertiary education sector and try different ideas to tackle the lack of worker accommodation in regional areas.
"We want our industry to be seen as a valuable career choice for future generations of young Tasmanians and we need to do better."
Mr Leesong said that the three-year Action Plan also launched today included clear steps that both the Government and industry will take to achieve the 2030 vision and both would be held accountable on their achievement.
"We thank the Tasmanian Government and the Premier, Jeremy Rockliff, for recognising what a critical contributor the visitor economy is to Tasmania and providing funding to the tune of $12 million to see priority areas in the plan delivered."
The 2030 Visitor Economy Strategy and Action Plan is available at www.tourismtasmania.com.au
The strategy is a joint development of the Tasmanian Government and Tasmania's tourism and hospitality industry through the T21 partnership and has been informed by industry and community consultation and growth forecasting.
