The Tourism & Transport Forum, Australia’s leading tourism and transport advocacy group, is calling on the Tasmanian Government to increase funding for Tourism Tasmania to invest in destination marketing to grow domestic and international demand for travel to Tasmania.

TTF Chief Executive, Margy Osmond, said the funding boost is one of six recommendations the organisation has put forward ahead of the Tasmanian Government’s 2017-18 Budget to further develop tourism as a key long-term driver of economic and jobs growth.

“The Tasmanian Government has recognised the value of the state’s booming visitor economy in recent budgets by backing the tourism sector with increased investment,” Ms Osmond said.

“However, as Tasmania’s visitor economy continues to grow so too does the need for the Government to keep increasing funding for destination marketing through Tourism Tasmania so that the State can fully capitalise on the economic potential of its tourism industry and showcase Tasmania to more people across Australia and the world.”

Ms Osmond also urged the Tasmanian Government to support cultural and heritage tourism, invest in nature-based tourism infrastructure and grow funding to attract business and major events to Tasmania.

“Tasmania has long been known the world over for its stunning wilderness and natural beauty, however its visitor economy is increasingly being supported by a diverse range of cultural and heritage tourism such as MONA and the Tasmanian Whisky Trail,” Ms Osmond said.

“Through increased funding to support and promote cultural and heritage tourism and increase and improve visitor infrastructure, the Tasmanian Government can leverage its range of unique, world-class assets to further support growth in the visitor economy and create jobs.

“TTF would also like to see the Tasmanian Government support nature-based tourism by progressing the Cradle Mountain Master Plan, constructing the Freycinet National Park Visitors Centre, and continuing the development of the Three Capes Track.

“It is vital the Tasmanian Government does not miss the opportunity in its 2017-18 Budget to capitalise on the economic potential of Tasmanian’s tourism industry.”

TTF’s Tasmanian State Budget Priorities 2017-18 fact sheet can be accessed here.