Destination Southern Tasmania is pleased to invite you to our Annual General Meeting and networking event to be held on Wednesday 25 September 2024 at Iron Creek Bay Estate commencing at 4pm sharp.
To balance the standard AGM reporting and governance, we are delighted to hear an update from the team at The Taste of Summer.
Industry Briefing | Wednesday 18th September | 10am - 12pm
Join us for our annual cruise pre-season briefing at Wrest Point, Boardwalk Gallery and hear from our panel of experts tips a for leveraging from this important sector.
The 2024 Tasmanian Tourism Showcase was a vibrant celebration of Tasmania’s diverse tourism industry. With nearly 3,000 attendees over two days, the event became a hub of inspiration, connection, and collaboration among industry professionals.
Day one set the stage for the future, fostering new ideas and bringing operators together under one roof. On day two, the event opened to the public, featuring 86 Tasmanian tourism businesses, many offering exclusive packages and experiences. The atmosphere was elevated by pop-up choir performances thanks to Festival of Voices, and attendees left with fresh ideas for Tasmanian getaways—and a few lucky door prizes!
If you missed out this year, don't worry—plans are already in motion for a bigger and better event in 2025. You can view some highlights from the two-day event here.
We were also proud to support the Handfish Conservation Project, collecting donations at the event. With DST matching the funds raised, $200 has been earmarked for crucial population studies that will help conserve and recover these unique species.
Events like this don’t just happen—our heartfelt thanks go out to our generous sponsors, partners, and prize donors. A special shoutout to the incredible exhibitors for their dedication and to everyone who attended. See you next year!
NEWS FROM SOUTHERN TASMANIA
TASMANIAN HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION (THA) SURVEY
The THA Hospitality Survey is now open. We are inviting all Tasmanian chefs, managers and hospitality business owners to complete the 5-minute survey. The survey is exploring what are the challenges to using Tasmanian sourced ingredients in hospitality kitchen within Tasmania – your experience, expertise and opinions are valued.
Please complete the survey and/or share this link and invitation with your networks and connections. Thanks so much for your help.
WITH Tas Industry Leaders Breakfast | Wednesday 16 October
Once again, a panel of three extraordinary women with diverse experiences will help start your day with inspiration. → LEARN MORE
Australian Tourism Export Council’s China Host Workshop Tasmania
Monday 9 September| The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel
ATEC’s China Host Workshop will be led by industry experts Jessica Xue and Garry Burns from The Gaibo Agency. Supported by the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations (NFACR) the workshop will explore culture, product and service, and trade engagement. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in many discussions as they navigate the China inbound market. → REGISTER
Review of Regional Migration Settings
Tuesday 10 September 2024|10:30AM -11:30AM |Sorell Memorial Hall
This in-person forum is an opportunity to engage directly with representatives from Department of Home Affairs on issues surrounding regional migration, particularly those that are unique to Sorell & Southeastern Tasmania. → REGISTER
Brighton to Cambridge Freight Route Options Assessment
Public Consultation - Have your say prior to Monday, 16 September 2024
This study will assess the feasibility, advantages, and disadvantages of three proposed routes, as well as considering the current route. Visit the project page via this link or QR code.
Share Your News with DST
Destination Southern Tasmania is always interested in your industry updates. Completing this form lets us know what’s happening in your business or region. Your news and information may be shared with Tourism Tasmania and throughout the Destination Southern Tasmania social, email and web channels. Priority is given to DST members.
POSITIVE IMPACT IN ACTION -
LEADING WITH PURPOSE
Connecting visitors to the land of lutruwita
Uprising Glassware is more than beautiful drinkware. We're a platform built to celebrate the humbling environment around us and to support custodians of this land. Our collection is a vessel to cherish Tasmania’s natural beauty, and the skilled producers crafting downright delicious drinks from this magical terroir.
Let the landscape sparkling at the base of your drink take you back to moments of connection. Connection to the land, to the people you share those moments with, and a direct connection to the organisations working to support our wild spaces. 5% of all sales are contributed to Tasmanian Land Conservancy. → Discover More
TICT Positive Impact Tourism Workshop
Monday 16 September
1.00pm - 4.30pm| Kermandie Hotel
If you're a Tasmanian tourism business, you’re invited to a workshop on the why, what and how of sustainable, regenerative and positive impact tourism, with a specific focus on reducing carbon emissions in your businesses.
Do your part and help clean up beautiful Hope Beach at South Arm and protect the surrounding nature for future generations to enjoy. $49pp includes transfers, lunch, activities and certificate. Learn more and sign up → HERE
TOURISM INDUSTRY NEWS
Tourism Tasmania Pre-Season Update
Come Down For Air Campaign
Tasmania's tourism and hospitality industry are invited to an update as we move into the summer season. Hear an overview of winter 2024 and our Off Season campaign, what to expect for the upcoming season and how to leverage our latest Come Down For Air campaign in your own business.
Tourism Tasmania's Off Season campaign is wrapping up on Saturday, with the agency asking participating operators to share their experiences in the program through a short survey.
During the campaign, the Discover Tasmania website has so far received almost 744,000 visits to Off Season pages, including articles and offer and event listings. This is up 147 per cent from 2023.
Off Season offers and promotional activity will conclude on 31 August. The survey will be open until mid-October. → TAKE THE SURVEY
2024 Future Focus Tasmanian Tourism Conference
Upwards of 400 tourism and hospitality operators and stakeholders gathered in Launceston last week, for an inspiring two days unpacking the trends, challenges and opportunities for Tasmania's visitor economy.
Some key highlights from this year’s Conference were:
Tourism Tasmania’s ‘Story of Tourism’ video and resources was launched to industry. All information can be found via their website here.
A one-year-on status update of the 2030 Visitor Economy Strategy was provided to delegates including a video featuring operators and the work they’ve achieved. The official progress report can be seen here.
The Young Tourism Network Tasmania, with thanks to Pennicott Wilderness Journeys and TICT, launched its 2025 Education Tour. Please see below details about this opportunity to support young industry leaders to further their professional development.
Delegates were able to hear about some timely issues including a Tasmanian economic update from Saul Eslake, as well as a Spirit of Tasmania update from CEO, Bernard Dwyer.
Highlighting the importance of Tasmania's tourism industry
The Story of Tourism video | Tourism Tasmania
The Story of Tourism project, launched at the recent Tasmanian Tourism Conference, celebrates more than 130-years of tourism in Tasmania, highlighting its evolution and its significant role in empowering communities and shaping the economy.
The project includes a video (above) that underscores the industry's contributions to businesses, jobs, local services, infrastructure, trade, and lifestyle.
Additional resources, including a fact sheet are available on Tourism Tasmania's corporate website. →DISCOVER MORE
Changes to Australian workplace laws
Several changes to the Fair Work Act took effect from 26 August 2024:
employee right to disconnect – eligible employees can refuse employer or third-party contact outside working hours. This applies to non-small business employers from 26 August 2024 and to small business employers from 26 August 2025
casual employment changes – new rules for casual employees, including an updated definition of ‘casual employee’
independent contractor changes – including the new definition of employment, unfair contract terms and minimum standards for employee-like workers.
We would love to hear your feedback on engaging with us this year, whether through one of our workshops, downloading assets from the toolkit, participating in a Tasmanian or Little Tasmanian story, using the Tasmanian Mark, or working with us on a project. →BEGIN THE SURVEY
UPCOMING EVENTS
September Events in Southern Tasmania
Southern Tasmania has an incredible line-up of markets and events over the coming month. These events drive strong visitation from local and interstate visitors, so to help you get a piece of the action, visit Hobart & Beyond's
VXT is launching an intensive 6 week hotel school which will provide participants with a real understanding of what it takes to work in one of Tasmania’s exceptional hotels. At the end of our 6 week hotel school, participants will be offered an interview with one of Hobart’s best hotels and the chance to begin your hotel industry career. → LEARN MORE
View the upcoming course dates with VXT in Southern Tasmania.
Applications for Skill UP are now open! Places are limited, so we recommend applying as soon as possible. To apply, check eligibility or learn more about the courses visit:https://bit.ly/SkillUp24
Learn practical, cost-effective strategies from industry experts to enhance your workforce on Tuesday 17th September, 7.30am - 9am. → REGISTER HERE
Digital Ready Program
Access your FREE 4 hours coaching with a digital expert
Winter is the perfect time to review your businesses online presence and develop a strategy to drive sales. The Digital Ready Program offers one-on-one coaching with an expert either face to face or over Zoom.
Topics can include anything regarding getting your business online such as; websites, e-commerce, booking systems, social media, SEO, content, advertising, online tools, Google My business, strategy and much more.
The best part, the program is fully subsidised by the Tasmanian Government and your 4 hour entitlement resets every year! → Learn More
GRANTS & FUNDING
A summary of loans, grants and support currently available:
The $50 million Regional Tourism Development Loan Scheme is now open for applications. The scheme is available to promote investment in tourism products and experiences that stimulate regional tourism and dispersal in Tasmania. The scheme will open for applications until 2pm, 30 June 2026 or until all funding has been utilised, whichever occurs first.
This grant program aims to help Aboriginal people in tourism and hospitality participate in professional development opportunities, including conferences, workshops, training courses and trade shows. Funding can be requested for up to four (4) Aboriginal employees or organisation members to participate in development opportunities. These opportunities must take place between 1 August 2024 and 30 June 2025.
Through the support of the Tasmanian Government, the TICT is supporting tourism businesses in reducing their emissions by matching eligible tourism operators with one of two programs over 2023 and 2024.
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.
.png?upscale=true&width=250&upscale=true&name=Uprising%2BGlasses%2B(4).png)
