Lodge reveals elegant addition

RACT chief executive Harvey Lennon said his organisation was keen to do its bit to raise excitement levels among the hordes of visitors coming to Tasmania.

From today, tourists can experience the magnificence of Tasmania’s East Coast in com- fort and style — with floor to ceiling glass and an outdoor bathtub — at RACT’s Freycinet Lodge.

Mr Lennon said nine new coastal pavilions added a touch of elegance to the resort.

“We expect them to be attractive to high-end visitors from overseas and interstate,’’ he said.

International visitor spending surged 32 per cent last year and Mr Lennon said RACT aimed to enhance the state’s attractiveness by offering those visitors something unique and special.

“Grounded elegance, that’s what we’re calling it. People don’t want luxury in the ultimate sense, but they do want something special, something unique, and something that fits in with the amazing natural beauty that this state can offer,” he said.

“We’ve been absolutely blown away with the strength of the bookings that we’ve seen.”

The coastal pavilions capture the beauty of the Richardson’s Beach/Coles Bay coastline and work is now starting on six more pavilions which peer in the opposite direction, towards the Hazards peaks.

RACT has received $1 mil- lion in federal and state government grants for the pavilions project, supervised by developer Brett Torossi.

Mr Lennon said while the pavilions were aimed squarely at overseas and interstate visitors, there were opportunities for locals and RACT members to enjoy them, particularly during the quieter months.