Spirited response to car deal swamps site

EAGER holiday-makers swamped TT-Line’s website following the announcement that a federal government subsidy would allow passengers to sail without paying for their vehicles.

The deal does not start until March but the number of people trying to book a ticket across Bass Strait trebled on Thursday morning causing the website to glitch.

TT-Line CEO Bernard Dwyer stressed that bookings under the discount deal would not be taken until January 14.

The extension to the Bass Strait Passenger Vehicle Equalisation Scheme will run from March to June and bring a $240 return saving for selfdrive travellers from both Melbourne and Tasmania.

West by North West CEO Tom Wootton told tourism operators to act fast to capitalise on the opportunity as grey nomads and tour bikers applauded the news.

“We’ll ramp up messaging through our channels on the merits of turning right when disembarking and exploring our region but this must be a collaborative effort with all of industry,” he said.

Mr Wootton said tourism operators needed to “press play on their marketing efforts in anticipation’’.

Australia’s grey nomad army and members of the motorbike fraternity were among those quick to give a thumbs up to the $6m plan that will allow Spirit of Tasmania passengers to travel without being charged to bring their vehicles across Bass Strait.

The Caravan Industry Association of Australia said the move would massively boost self-drive tourism and put Tasmania on a level playing field with mainland states.

Damien Codognotto from Motorcycle Riders Association Australia said he was already receiving calls from groups on the mainland asking about the best time to book a riding tour of Tasmania.

“It goes to show that persistent lobbying can have results,” Mr Codognotto said.

The Tasmanian Hospitality Association said it was ready to welcome them.

“This will help passenger numbers return to the record levels and get more visitors here and into our venues,” THA chief Steve Old said.

The state’s peak tourism body said the extension would save jobs, secure local businesses and fill beds, camp sites and tour seats during the shoulder season.

Caravan Industry Association of Australia CEO Stuart Lamont said the caravanning industry was recovering but Bass Strait had, until now, put Tasmania at a disadvantage.

“This announcement could not have come soon enough … we know that those arriving via the Spirit of Tasmania stay longer, spend more and disperse further than other visitors to the state,” he said.