Record Spirit of Tasmania bookings to boost tourism, hospitality: State Government
A record number of passengers have forward-booked a seat on the Spirit of Tasmania.
Passengers have bought 304,000 tickets for travel on the two ships, which is 40,000 more than the same time last year — or a 15 per cent increase.
Acting Tourism Minister Jeremy Rockliff said it was a sign the State Government's plan to increase passengers was working.
"We have invested $31.5 million refurbishing the passenger areas," he said.
"We have increased day sailings and also significantly lowered the average fare prices."
"It is clear that what we are doing is capturing the curiosity of travellers and having a great flow-on effect, especially on tourism and hospitality."
Bookings for day sailings have increased 50 per cent on last year, and 80 per cent on 2014.
This year, there will be 121 day sailings — up from 82 last year.
More tourists, longer stays boosting regions
Mr Rockliff said it was good news for tourism operators across the state.
"Visitors who arrive by sea spend more time than most travelling Tasmania — staying an average of 17 nights compared to seven nights for those arriving by air," he said.
"This means more visitors across the state, particularly in regional areas, and money in the tills at urban hotels, rural pubs, and regional attractions."
Ian Waller from the Cradle Coast Authority agreed it was significant for tourism operators.
"It gives them confidence about the future and that's really important," he said.
"In our tourism industry ... we are impacted by seasonality, so advanced bookings give the industry confidence that we can move into the future with renewed confidence that visitors are going to continue to come."
Mr Waller said regional tourism operators were the most likely to benefit.
"[Passengers arriving on the Spirit] are more likely to get to the more remote areas of our state," he said.
"Whether that be the far north west or in particular the west coast which is particularly critical to us - they're getting to some of those more remote areas."
But Mr Waller said it was vital tourism operators make the most of the opportunity.
"We've got to make sure that we capture them," he said.
"We've got to make sure we give them what they want and they go home as ambassadors for what they've seen."
Source: ABC News, Sallese Gibson, 10th January 2016
