Report reveals regional tourism in Tasmania growing strong

NEW figures show the growth of tourism in Tasmania’s regions has been strong.

A Tourism Research Australia report to be released today shows Tasmania had the second-strongest growth, behind WA, in the number of regional trips of all states and territories, with a 37 per cent increase in the five years to 2017.

“Tasmania has seen amazing growth in tourism in recent years, and this report is a timely reminder that while there is good news, there is still more work to be done,” Assistant Regional Tourism Minister Senator Jonathon Duniam said.

The report also found: HALF of all regional leisure tourism spending in Tasmania was by domestic overnight interstate visitors at $608 million in 2017.

INTERNATIONAL overnight leisure visitors stayed a greater share — 55 per cent — of their total nights in regional Tasmania than the national average of 24 per cent.

REGIONAL Tasmania was of interest to visitors from the US, UK and NZ as well as Australians in the Generation Y and Z age groups, and those over 55 years of age.

The report stated the growth in international tourism over the five years coincided with recoveries in many countries following the Global Financial Crisis and visitation levels five years ago were relatively low compared with the long-term average.

Senator Duniam will today release the report — The Beach, Bush and Beyond, which was commissioned by Austrade and state and territory governments.