Paint the Town Red kicks off TODAY which will see Hobart and beyond aglow in red for the month of June. Remember to flick on your lights, dress in red from head to toe, or start prepping those crimson cocktails - whatever your activation, we can't wait for you to bring it!
We have some great prizes for our consumer competition this year, so be sure to share your most creative, quirky and powerful red photographs on Instagram and Facebook. Remember to encourage your guests to do the same.
Mt Field Retreat is a brand new development located on the edge of Mt Field National Park. Bookings are now open for this wonderful addition to the region!
Image Credit: Mt Field Retreat
DST MEMBER BENEFITS
June Tips & Tipples
This month, we are collaborating in Cambridge with the Coal River Valley Tasmania Tourism Association (CRVTTA) and Tasmanian Hospitality Association (THA) to celebrate the opening of the new Tasmanian Air Tours & Above and Beyond Tasmania hanger.
We are able to deliver Tips and Tipples events to our members free of charge as part of their membership benefits package, however, if you are not a partner or financial member of DST and would like to come, or if you are a member and would like to bring a guest, please contact us.
Confirm your map listing before the June 30 cut-off!
Image Credit: Natalie Mendham
The upcoming reprint of our immensely popular and widely distributed Explore Tasmania's South Map is almost here. The Explore Tasmania's South Map continues to be a significant resource for member businesses & visitors alike. With 100,000 copies set to be printed and distributed by Tourism Brochure Exchange, including to all operators, airports, and on the Spirits, this is an exceptional chance to showcase your business to a vast audience. Your inclusion is an important financial member benefit. For those businesses with lapsed membership, not yet renewed or considering joining DST for the first time, we wish to extend this invitation to ensure you don't miss out. If you have any questions or changes you wish to make to your business listing or grid reference, please phone us or reach out to dstadmin@southerntasmania.com.au
TCCI Reciprocal Membership
Did you know DST membership includes a subsidiary membership with the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI). You can view the full benefits here.
Tasmanians are invited to have their say on the key directions for tourism in the state and to inform the 2030 Tasmanian Visitor Economy Strategy.
Over many decades, the visitor economy has created substantial value for Tasmania. The Tasmanian Government and tourism industry are now setting the vision and directions that will continue to grow the depth and breadth of this value across the state.
Public consultation will be open until midnight, Wednesday 21 June 2023.
Luke Martin to step down as CEO of TICT
We had news recently that Luke Martin will step down as Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania (TICT) CEO on 30 June this year.
As an organisation, DST would like to thank Luke for his contribution over the last 12 years and acknowledge his strong advocacy for the industry and its operators over this time.
Image Credit: Luke Martin
Personally, I would like to especially thank Luke for his navigation of one of our most challenging times during Covid. He was instrumental in working with the government to deliver many support programs that helped businesses get through this time. We wish him every success in the future.
What would it look like to work together to create an inclusive state that truly welcomed everyone? As a business owner/event organiser, it is important to ensure as many people as possible can engage with your operations/events.
Events Tasmania invite you to join Access Consultant Morwenna Collett, to understand more about how to appropriately consider people with disability in your work and how best to cater to different access requirements.
Many of you are already achieving great things in the sustainability space, so here is a fantastic opportunity for some global recognition. The application process is not too onerous and many of you will already be creating content for the Tasmanian Tourism Awards. There are nine categories for entry:
This June, Lark's Pontville Distillery embraces the darkness with a new tour of eerie tales and tastings. Part whisky tasting experience, part ghost tour, this is a special event not for the "feint" of heart. BOOK HERE
Channel Highway Roundabout & Northbound Slip Lane
Under construction from April 2023 until January 2024
During working hours (Monday to Saturday, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm), lane closures and a reduced speed limit will be in place. During construction, please allow up to eight minutes extra travel time. Please keep to speed limits and follow the directions of traffic controllers and signs.
At times during the construction, scheduled blasting work will require possible delays of up to 30 minutes. Stay up to date with current projects across the State road network here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Image Credit: Lusy Productions | Tourism Tasmania
June Events in Southern Tasmania
Southern Tasmania has an incredible line-up of markets and events over the coming month. These events all drive strong visitation from local and interstate markets, so to help you get a piece of the action, here's a summary of what's on and when:
Digital Ready are offering one hour sessions to Tourism operators who need assistance with loading their Off Season offers to their website or social channels. This training is fully funded by Tourism Tasmania, so to take advantage of this tailored session, sign up here.
Australian Festival Industry Conference 2023 30th and 31st of August, Sydney
Events Tasmania is offering individual grants of up to $2,250 to assist event organisers who work within local government and regional tourism organisations to attend the 2023 Australian Festival Industry Conference (AFIC) in August in Sydney.
RTOs can nominate one external event organiser from their region who they believe would benefit from attending the conference. The nominated event organiser must include a letter of support from the RTO in their region with their submission.
More information about the grant can be found on the Events Tasmania website here.
GRANTS & FUNDING
A summary of loans, grants and support currently available:
An alternative to the previous Tourism Development Loan Scheme (TDLS), the BGLS is open to all industries, including tourism. Compared to the TDLS, there are a couple of criteria differences to note:
The BGLS loans attract a variable rate of 5.89% from day one
The applicant must demonstrate that they cannot achieve finance in the commercial market. The program is not intended to compete with banks, so more often these loans are co-funding with a bank were the applicant was not able to obtain full funding through commercial channels.
Touring grants of up to $20,000 are available to eligible organisers of auto, motorbike, cycle or walking tours in Tasmania during the winter and shoulder season. Funding is based on the number of interstate or international participants staying in paid commercial accommodation for five nights or more, with 40 percent or more of the tour being held in regional areas.
The Scheme will provide no-interest loans of between $500 and $10,000 over three years to eligible households, residential landlords, small businesses and community organisations to fund investment in energy-efficient products.