By Vanessa Cavasinni, editor Australian Hotelier
The Tasmanian Hospitality Association (THA) will receive $245,000 over the next three years from the State Government, as revealed in yesterday’s Budget papers.
The THA will receive $115,000 in the 2017-18 financial year, and then $65,000 in the following two years, in recognition of the role the association plays in fostering growth in Tasmanian tourism. The funds will assist with industry marketing, development and coordination activities, including a hospitality industry conference, expanded social media presence and continued roll out of the Great Customer Experience program.
Steve Old, general manager of the THA, welcomed the Tasmanian Government’s investment in the association.
“It is great to see a state government that engages with industry and then is willing to back up their talk with real outcomes and initiatives as seen again in this Budget.”
“With hospitality being the third largest employing industry in the state, we have been crying out for assistance to further grow and promote our industry and this government has been hugely supportive and continues to do so which we all very much appreciate.”
Old was also lauded the government for other initiatives in the market that would benefit the state’s hospitality industry.
“The THA also welcomes the investment of over $37 million more in the budget to help build further growth in the tourism and hospitality industries by investing in more tourism marketing, national parks, as well as funding provided to turn Drysdale into a Centre of Excellence for the industry.”
He continued: “It is also exciting for the industry and state to see the government has committed an additional $2 million over two years starting this year to pilot a grants program to support small business to employ more apprenticeships and trainees.
“The industry is also very supportive of the targeted payroll tax rebate to employers of eligible trainees, apprenticeships and youth and we hope this further drives employment opportunities in our industry for young Tasmanians.”
The Budget Paper noted that tourism is “a very significant contributor to the Tasmanian economy, with record levels of visitor numbers and spending,” and was “supporting employment across the State.”