News
Three Capes Track to deliver economic boom
Posted on Tuesday, 23 February 2010 | Permalink
Tasman Peninsula & Tasmanian Economy and Jobs Boosted
A fully-developed Three Capes Track is set to deliver up to $190 million annually and 1500-plus jobs to the Tasmanian economy, according to a new economic impact study looking at the impact of additional day walkers that the Track would bring.
The Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania today released the Three Capes Track Economic Impact of Additional Day Walk Visitors report, prepared by KPMG.
TICT chief executive officer Daniel Hanna said the proposed Three Capes Track would be a five night/six day walking experience on the Tasman Peninsula taking in Cape Raoul, Cape Pillar and Cape Hauy.
“The Three Capes Track, full-developed, will transform the Tasman National Park as a destination for day walking through increased promotion, exposure and improvements in day walk tracks and facilities,’ Mr Hanna said.
“This phenomenon occurred at Cradle Mountain where the reputation of the Overland Track has made the area a hub for day walking with over 200,000 visitors per year.
“The KPMG report found that the Tasmanian economy could benefit by up to $188 million per annum and 1563 jobs by 2017 through increased day walk visitors as a result of the development of the Three Capes Track.
“Importantly, the report also found that the Tasman Peninsula economy would benefit by up to $43.75 million annually and 323 jobs.
“This report delivers proof of how important the Three Capes Track could be to the Tasman Peninsula, which already has one great tourist attraction at Port Arthur but needs another iconic tourist experience.
“A new iconic multi-day walk would attract large numbers of additional interstate and overseas visitors to the area and increase visitor nights and visitor spending substantially.
“The big winners would be the many small service based businesses on the Tasman Peninsula.
“The project would bring wealth and massive job opportunities to help the Tasman Peninsula economy to grow.
“The Three Capes Track would also deliver massive benefits to Tasmanian tourism and the Tasmanian economy.
“The development of a second iconic multi-day walk (in addition to the Overland Track) in Tasmania would:
- significantly add to the Tasmanian brand
- better place Tasmania as an iconic walking destination to compete with destinations like New Zealand
- provide an alternative experience for the many visitors that have already experienced the Overland Track and Cradle Mountain/Lake St. Clair National Park
- provide increased year round walking opportunities due to the more favourable climate on the Tasman Peninsula
- increase the profile of the stunning coastal environment of the Tasman National Park
The impacts outlined in the KPMG report are in addition to the 2008 report by Syneca Consulting which measured the economic impact of overnight walkers on the Three Capes Track.
The Syneca report found spending in Tasmania of $19.7m per annum and an additional 334 jobs; and $3.1m in addition spending on the Tasman Peninsula and the creation of 70 jobs.
Mr Hanna said the Three Capes Track report outlined visitor number impacts on the Tasman Peninsula, including:
- Conservative scenario – 14,702 international tourists and 41,338 interstate tourists, totalling 56,040 ADDITIONAL visitors annually
- Optimistic scenario – 22,744 international visitors and 63,952 interstate visitors, totalling 86,696 ADDITIONAL visitors
“This report highlights why all Tasmanian political parties should see this project as a priority infrastructure development that would benefit Tasmania, in particular the Tasman Peninsula,” Mr Hanna said.
The Tasman Peninsula (from Tasmanian Visitor Survey June 2009) currently welcomes 55,292 international visitors and 167,780 interstate visitors, totalling 223,072 visitors annually.
