Will Hodgman

The Liberals will establish Tourism Tasmania as an entity separate from the bureaucracy, and establish an Events and Regional Economic Stimulus Program.

Separated from the bureaucracy, Tourism Tasmania will focus on marketing Tasmania as a destination instead of acting as just another government agency. It will be more representative and responsive to the needs of the tourism sector.

Separating Tourism Tasmania from the Bureaucracy:

The Liberals have consulted widely with tourism operators, especially in regional parts of Tasmania, and found that many of the problems faced by operators stem from the fact that Tourism Tasmania is not set up in the best way to address the needs and requirements of a very competitive sector.

In separating Tourism Tasmania from the bureaucracy, the Liberals will ensure that the agency will better cater to the needs of the tourism industry.

By focusing on destination marketing for Tasmania instead of bureaucratic functions, Tourism Tasmania will actually deliver the results that tourism operators are after – greater visitor numbers.

Being less bureaucratic also means that Tourism Tasmania will be able to respond quickly to the changing environment that is the tourism sector.

We will continue to work with the Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania, business operators and other stakeholders in developing the arrangement that will work best for them.

The Tasmanian Liberals believe in the tourism industry and that is why we have proposed this policy to help the industry grow, particularly in tough times.

Events and Regional Economic Stimulus Program:

Following the decision by the Green-Labor government to cut in half the Events Attraction program, the Liberals have decided to reinstate this funding and extend it into the future.

For every $1 invested in attracting events, it has been demonstrated that there is $10 return to the state. Investing money this way makes sense for our economy.

This fund will be used to attract events to Tasmania – like the V8 Supercars – which will provide an economic stimulus to the local and surrounding economies.

Your choice

LIBERAL        

• A more effective and responsive Tourism Tasmania with better destination marketing
• A strong tourism industry with more events in regional Tasmania

LABOR/GREEN

• Bureaucratic and slow Tourism Tasmania with continued failed marketing campaigns
• Continued decline in visitor numbers to our state