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News posts from 2008
2008 Tasmanian Tourism Awards
Posted on Friday, 28 November 2008 | Permalink
28 November, 2008
Tourism Industry Award Winners
The tourism industry’s highest achievers have been honoured tonight at the Tasmanian Tourism Awards.
Tourism Industry Council Tasmania Chief Executive Daniel Hanna said the awards had attracted a very high standard of entry.
“This year we had a strong level of entries in the 27 award categories as well as some outstanding nominations for the People’s Choice Award, Minister’s Young Achiever Award and the Minister’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism,” Mr Hanna said.
Category award winners are automatically entered into the Australian Tourism Awards which will be announced early next year.
Mr Hanna said the annual tourism awards were the Tourism Industry’s night of nights which showcased the very best the Tasmanian industry had to offer and encouraged everyone in the industry to strive for excellence.
“It is also an opportunity for people in the industry to network, catch up with old friends and, most importantly, recognize and celebrate all that is good about this industry that we all love.
Chairman of the TICT Simon Currant said that over the past weeks the TICT had been grappling with how the global financial crisis may impact and what action the industry could do in response.
“The crisis is beginning to have an impact that will become greater in the coming months. The size of the national and global travel pie is going to reduce.
“This means that the only way our industry can grow is to claim a bigger slice of the national pie. This won’t be easy but if we want to keep growing then we’ll need to grab half a percent of national market share off other destinations.
Mr Currant said that if Tasmania was going to achieve this goal then both the industry and government needed to focus on core activities.
“Now is the time to market the state aggressively in our key markets, especially those that have direct flights,” he said.
The People’s Choice Award is decided by feedback received from customers, and recognises the provision of excellent service and a quality experience. This year the award went to Sheffield Country Motor Inn. Customers who filled in the survey forms frequently described their experience as the “best”, “friendliest”, “nicest” and “cleanest” and also commended the owners’ personal kindness and generosity. Hobnobs Restaurant was highly commended.
The Outstanding contribution by an individual category was awarded to Terry McDermott who has been active in his local community and tourism industry since 1959, when he began operating the local newsagency and Strahan Tourist Information Centre. He has been active as a local councillor in support of local infrastructure, town signage and beautification programs. He is highly respected for his dedication in marketing the State and TasVillas, of which he was a Board member until recent times.
The Minister’s Young Achiever Award went to Clint Walker who operates the Stanley Seaview Inn and who is vice-president of the Circular Head Tourism Association.
The Minister’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism was awarded to Karen Rees who founded Naturally Tasmanian Tours (renamed Premier Travel) and who has had enormous success for a small operator promoting her business and Tasmania internationally. Karen is a member of the Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania and who continues to use her extensive international network and contacts for her own business and to assist others in the industry.
2008 Tasmanian Tourism Award Winners
Major Tourist Attractions
Port Arthur Historic Site – Winner
Tourist Attractions
Bruny Island Charters – Winner
Major Festivals & Events
Pure Tasmania Wildside MTB 2008 – Winner
Festivals & Events
Festivale – Winner
Ecotourism
The Maria Island Walk – Winner
Heritage & Cultural Tourism
Port Arthur Historic Site – Winner
Indigenous Tourism
Ningenneh Tunapry - Winner
Specialised Tourism Services
The Wilderness Gallery – Winner
Visitor Information & Services
Tasmanian Travel & Information Centre – Winner
Meetings & Business Tourism
Wrest Point Convention Centre – Winner
The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel – Highly Commended
Tour &/or Transport Operators
Experience Tasmania – Winner
Adventure Tourism
The Maria Island Walk – Winner
Tourism Marketing
Pure Tasmania – Winner, inducted into the Hall of Fame
Tourism Education & Training
Wrest Point – Winner
Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services
Terrace Restaurant – Winner
Tourism Wineries
Ghost Rock Vineyard – Highly Commended
Tourist & Caravan Parks
St Helens Caravan Park - Winner
Hosted Accommodation
Clydesdale Manor – Winner
Unique Accommodation
The Henry Jones Art Hotel – Winner, inducted into the Hall of Fame
Standard Accommodation
Bruny Island Explorers Cottages – Winner
Deluxe Accommodation
The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel – Winner
Luxury Accommodation
The Islington Hotel – Winner
New Tourism Development
Tasman Island Cruises – Winner
Hollybank Treetops Adventure – Highly Commended
Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism
The Overland Track – Winner
Huon Bush Retreats – Highly Commended
Outstanding Contribution by an Individual
Terry McDermott
People's Choice Award
Sheffield Country Motor Inn – Winner
Hobnobs Restaurant – Highly Commended
Minister's Young Achiever Award
Clint Walker
Minister's Award for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism
Karen Rees
Jetstar Announcement Shows Confidence in Tasmania
Posted on Thursday, 25 September 2008 | Permalink
The Tourism Industry Council says today’s Jetstar announcement to expand its direct Sydney-Hobart services to double daily shows the airline’s confidence in the Tasmanian tourism industry.
TICT Chief Executive Officer Daniel Hanna said today the double daily A320 service would increase the number of airlines seats into and out of the State, and improve the convenience for travelers.
“In a very tight national and international market due to rising fuel costs and difficult economic conditions, Tasmania is more than holding its own and the new service is welcomed by tourism industry,” Mr Hanna said.
“Given the difficulties being faced by airlines and cuts to services around the world this is fantastic news and is an expression of confidence by Jetstar in the Tasmanian market.
“The availability of more seats at cheaper prices makes it easier for people to choose to holiday in Tasmania and also keeps us competitive with other destinations – both in Australia and in the Asian-Pacific region,” Mr Hanna said.
Jetstar already operates 11 direct Sydney-Hobart flights per week but the new schedule will ensure two flights each way every day – or an extra 1062 seats each week.
Mr Hanna said that importantly Jetstar was maintaining its other Melbourne and Launceston services.
“Jetstar has informed us that the double daily service is a base service which means there is room to grow more flights as demand increases over our peak season.
“This is good news for the Tasmanian tourism industry which is currently focusing its marketing activities on New South Wales and Southern Queensland,” he said.
Tourism Portfolio More Important than Ever
Posted on Tuesday, 16 September 2008 | Permalink
16 September 2008
The Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania has welcomed the appointment of Michelle O’Byrne as Minister for Tourism and the decision to retain Tourism within the Department of Economic Development.
Chief Executive of the Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania Daniel Hanna said today that the industry looked forward to working with Ms O’Byrne to address the many challenges facing the industry.
“With the many challenges currently facing tourism nationally and internationally it is more important than ever that we have strong and stable support within Government and a recommitment to achieve the joint industry-government targets in the Tourism 21 strategy,” Mr Hanna said.
Mr Hanna said the current world economic and financial crisis was throwing up very difficult challenges for the industry.
“Around the world we are seeing reports of the worst economic conditions in many decades, airlines failing and tourists being stranded because of rising fuel prices and greater competition.
“Tasmania currently is more than holding its own and, in fact, is retaining air services and market share against the trend.
“However it will be difficult to maintain our position and sustain growth into the future and we need a strong advocate within Government and united approach to achieve our joint objectives.
Mr Hanna said that in the current economic climate one of the major difficulties was to attract investment and financial backing for tourism ventures. The State also needed to focus on improving tourism infrastructure and attracting and building a skilled workforce.
He said it was important that Tourism remained within the Department of Economic Development as it was a major driver of economic growth in Tasmania.
Levels Of New Investment Confirm Tourism as an Economic Driver for Tasmania
Posted on Friday, 5 September 2008 | Permalink
The Tourism Industry Council Tasmania today highlighted the importance of tourism for the Tasmanian economy in the next five years and beyond.
TICT Chief Executive Officer Daniel Hanna said that on a statewide basis, there was well over one billion dollars worth of current and proposed tourism development to be completed in that period.
“This suite of development includes the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery redevelopment and MONA development at Moorilla in the South, Barnbougle Dunes’ expansion and the Launceston Airport Redevelopment in the North and the Corinna ecotourism venture and Pumphouse Point development in the North-West,” Mr Hanna said.
“The TICT has stated publicly in the past that the tourism industry needs more investment to achieve the ambitious targets of $4.3 billion in visitor expenditure by 2017. It is therefore very pleasing to see more than $1 billion in projects currently under way or proposed.
“But the amount of over $1 billion only includes current and proposed projects where a value is known. It does NOT include developments under $500,000 or projects that are in early planning stages. If we included those other projects, we would be looking at hundreds of millions of dollars more.
“Given this massive level of planned tourism investment in the next five years around the State, there is expected to be a huge boost to visitor expenditure, employment, and the State economy.
“For example, the TMAG redevelopment and the Museum of Old and New Art at Moorilla have the potential to attract more than 200,000 additional visitors to Tasmania each year.
Mr Hanna said that the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania had welcomed the establishment of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism in February this year.
“The level of new investment in the tourism industry clearly demonstrates that the Economic Development and Tourism functions within Government are a perfect fit and complementary to each other. This is because tourism is both a major driver of Tasmania’s economic development and also benefits from wider developments in the economy.
“Tourism is a portfolio area that sits best with other functions of government that are about growth and new investment. This is why the tourism industry is so positive about remaining under the Minister for Economic Development and Tourism going forward.”
Mr Hanna said it was paramount to ensure that the level of planned investment is delivered and that the industry can achieve the target of $4.3 billion annual visitor expenditure by 2017.
“This is the target we have set in Tourism 21 – it’s an ambitious target, but the over 60 projects included within the $1,072 million suite of planned investments will go a long way to achieving it.”
The number of projects on a regional basis included:
Region Number of Projects Value (approx)
South 20 $425m
North and North-East 22 $451m
North-west and West 24 $196m
Total 66 $1,072m
MAJOR PROJECTS INCLUDE
SOUTH
Hadleys Hotel redevelopment
MONA construction (Moorilla)
Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery redevelopment
NORTH
Barnbougle Dunes expansion
Launceston Airport upgrade
York Cove development (Georgetown)
NORTH-WEST
Corinna ecotourism resort
Pumphouse Point (Lake St. Clair)
Tarkine projects
Quick Action Needed for Princes Wharf No 1
Posted on Friday, 25 July 2008 | Permalink
The Tourism industry’s peak group has urged quick action on redevelopment of Princes Wharf No 1.
TICT Chief Executive Daniel Hanna said today the Hobart waterfront was one of Tasmania’s most visited attractions but the Princes Wharf shed was unattractive and currently under-used for most of the year.
“The TICT is not against public involvement in deciding the future of Princes No 1, but there has been a lot of talk over the past two decades and, let’s face it, everyone has a different view, so there will never be a consensus,” Mr Hanna said.
“Instead of arguing over whether it should be demolished or refurbished, we need to decide on the guiding principles and then get on with it.
“The TICT believes those principles need to include:
• Open the area to visitors (by removing the fences and car parking)
• Provide a connection with the water (and view of it) from Salamanca Place
• Provision of needed visitor services such as exhibition space and capability of catering for large dinners or receptions
• Retain the area as a home for the Taste of Tasmania.
“I’m sure we will be able to come up with interesting and viable proposals that better link the Salamanca precinct to the water while retaining, and enhancing the things we need Princes No 1 to be able to do – such as provide a venue for the Taste,” Mr Hanna said.
Mr Hanna said that whatever form the final re-development of Princes No 1 took it was important that, in addition to meeting these guiding principles, it was also commercially viable.
