Business plan to win tourists’ cash

TASMANIAN businesses that aren’t getting a big enough slice of the cruise ship pie should look into their marketing techniques, the state’s peak business body says.

Southern tourism businesses are benefiting from yet another double cruise ship visit this season with passengers from the MS Noordam and the Celebrity Solstice in town.

However, some restaurants around Hobart don’t seem to be getting the same love.

The MS Noordam arrived at Macquarie Wharf last night, while the Celebrity Solstice docked this morning for one of eight double cruise ship visits in Hobart this year.

The Noordam, which carries 1900 people, will depart Hobart at 6pm tomorrow while the Solstice, which holds 2850 people, leaves at 6 tonight.

Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief Michael Bailey said sometimes tourism businesses got more attention from passengers because of tour packages available to them, but noted some people also wanted to try restaurants and cafes with uniquely Tasmanian produce. “We do see people travel further afield when they stay more than one night,” Mr Bailey said. “They move around the state with hire cars or buses. There are a whole range of activities like Port Arthur, Coles Bay, Mt Field and bb us i ness e s area reporting a lot of activity.tiv “Then you get ssome people who like to experience the market. Any retail or hospitality business needs to be smart with their marketing to attract business ... so marketing ploys with Instagram or Facebook.” The Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania has said each cruise ship passenger spent on average $150 a day, meaning the two-day visit from Noordam and the oneday stop for the Solstice could reap roughly $997,500 in spending around Hobart. Owner of Waterfalls Cafe at Mt Field Rachel Power said 70 per cent of visitors in the national park yesterday were with tour groups offered as part of the ship’s package.

“We knew about 68 people from the Noordam,” Mrs Power said. “They come and then they head out to Bonorong [Wildlife Sanctuary] or Richmond. Some operators come in the afternoon too.”

Bonorong founder Greg Irons said up to 700 passed through his gates yesterday, with 14 buses and several smaller tour operators showing tourists around the sanctuary.

However, Salamanca restaurants La Mensa and Rockwall don’t seem to receive much attention from the ships.

La Mensa owner Luke Richmond said if ships stayed the night he would notice more tourists but otherwise didn’t see much of an increase.

Likewise, Rockwall owner Garry Baker said he didn’t see many passengers.