QUARTERLY SPRING | 2021 | EDITION 7
TOURISM INDUSTRY COUNCIL TASMANIA
TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH ABORIGINAL TOURISM
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POLICY WATCH: Outlining tourism’s federal election Wishlist
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THE BEER BOSS: A tourism profile on Lauren Sheppard
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SUCCESS STORY: Winners on debut at the Tasmanian Tourism Awards
VISITOR EXPERIENCE TRAINING Visitor Experience Training (VXT) works hand in hand with the hospitality and tourism industry in Tasmania to offer a range of practical courses designed to equip participants with the required knowledge and skills for their chosen career, with a core focus on how to deliver a truly unique Tasmanian experience in their field.
AVAILABLE COURSES The following courses will be scheduled around Tasmania from November. Visit our website for more information. ∙ Bar Attendant ∙ Coffee Basics ∙ Room Attendant ∙ Food and Beverage Attendant ∙ Front of House Essentials ∙ Cafe Operations 2
FIND YOUR DREAM JOB IN THE TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY We are excited to be working with our industry partners to develop a dedicated hospitality and tourism jobs portal. Set to launch in November 2021, it will house a range of available positions across the industry making it a fantastic resource for those seeking employment and a great way for employers to reach their ideal candidates.
Contact VXT E: info@vxt.org.au T: 0497 473 848 vxt.org.au
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IN FOCUS: THE PATH AHEAD FOR ABORIGINAL TOURISM IN TASMANIA
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POLICY WATCH: TICT’S FEDERAL ELECTION WISH LIST
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TOURISM PROFILE: ONE-ON-ONE WITH TASSIE’S FEMALE “BEER BOSS” LAUREN SHEPPARD
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TALKING POINT: VACCINE POLICIES FOR TOURISM & HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES
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SUCCESS STORY: SPOTLIGHT ON OUR FIRST-TIME TOURISM AWARD WINNERS
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TOURISM FACES: WERE YOU SPOTTED AT TASMANIAN TOURISM’S NIGHT OF NIGHTS?
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SPRING | 2021 | ISSUE 7
WELCOME: FROM THE EDITOR
Cover page image: wukalina Walk. Photo credit: Rob Burnett
To advertise in the next TICT Quarterly or for editorial enquiries contact info@tict.com.au 1
WELCOME: FROM THE EDITOR
You might be surprised that one of the winners is actually almost 50 years old and is one of the state’s most iconic attractions - they have only just entered the awards for the first time and will represent us well on the national stage when the Australian Tourism Awards are held early next year.
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id you just blink and miss spring?
It’s certainly been a busy period for the world of tourism, with judging and presentation of the Tasmanian Tourism Awards at the gala black tie function at Wrest Point in November. What a wonderful celebration of remarkable resilience, creative culture and hardworking individuals who make up this fantastic sector. We have a special story on four winners who took home gold on debut - some are brand new businesses built on a confidence that Tasmania is going to be the destination of choice for discerning travellers for years to come.
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Time won’t slow over the summer season as we prepare for a federal election. Photo shoots of politicians on the hustle will be aplenty and we expect the tourism industry in the state to play a role in the background. But we don’t just want platitudes made in front of our beautiful beaches, wilderness areas and innovative businesses - we want and deserve an adequate investment in Tasmania’s tourism resurgence. Take a look at the TICT’s Wishlist for funding on pages 10-15. Speaking of busy, our tourism profile this edition introduces us to Lauren Sheppard, the General Manager at Tasmania’s largest independent craft brewery, Moo Brew. It’s an interesting read about her journey and the brand’s expansion. And, as we prepare for a border reopening as we go to print, which will inevitability see COVID cases returning to the state, we pose some pertinent questions for business owners in the tourism and hospitality sectors. Are you prepared? If not, we can help with some tips for getting the advice you need.
But first, slow down and find good spirit as we look at the success of one Aboriginal tourism venture and the progress being made to ensure more Indigenous culture and creativity is activated and celebrated.
We learn through the wukalina Walk that the power of being on your country can never be underestimated - it has the power to transform. I hope you enjoy this edition and we look forward to bringing you the summer magazine shortly.
SPRING | 2021 | ISSUE 7
IN FOCUS: THE PATH AHEAD FOR ABORIGINAL TOURISM IN TASMANIA
Photo credit: Rob Burnett
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gold in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism award category at the recent Tasmanian Tourism Awards – an achievement well over a decade in the making.
and larapuna (Bay of Fires) has been in operation since January 2018, attracting around 240 people a year – an ideal number for a delicate environment.
But while there is a growing, genuine support for growth in the sector, those at the heart of established enterprises say the process can’t and won’t be rushed.
“I don’t think we thought we would be as excited as we were to have the recognition that Aboriginal people deserve and stand up amongst the best in the state – we were taken aback by how emotional we were,” reflects wukalina Walk General Manager Gill Parssey.
It employs a 20-strong team of Aboriginal employees, with Gill the only non-Aboriginal person working in the business.
The much-celebrated wukalina Walk was awarded
The walk through wukalina (Mt William National Park)
he power of “walking on country” is transforming the lives of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Tasmanians as the state embraces the concept and drives demand for more Aboriginal tourism ventures.
“We are steadfast in our commitment to make sure staff are Aboriginal people and they are the ones interacting with guests and telling their stories,” Gill said. 3
The power of being on your country can never be underestimated and they are absolutely transformed by that. It is a very spiritual place, a visceral experience where you can feel the old spirits there – once you stand on that land with them, you understand how important it is.
Gill says the recognition of wukalina Walk as a tourism venture is a credit to the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania, especially members Clyde Mansell and Graeme Gardner. “They had the vision long before we got it up and running – they started consulting with the community in 2008 about what the best model would be, how to bring nonAboriginal people onto country and return Aboriginal people back onto country to tell their stories on their cultural homeland,” Gill says. “We need to really pay credit to Clyde and Graeme and the Aboriginal elders that helped along the way with interpretation and mapping out the interpretation plan along the journey, including the more difficult stories and taking into consideration everyone’s pathways to learning and making sure it enriches all audiences.” Gill says the potential to grow more Aboriginal tourism experiences is huge. “Aboriginal people hold land across the state where experiences could be developed for people to come into under the care and community of Aboriginal people with interpretation by Aboriginal people using new technology to allow touch points at sites, which would help with the goal of greater employment for the Aboriginal community,” Gill says. Rodney Dillon works with Amnesty International as an advocate aiming to keep young Aboriginal
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kids out of prison. He says the more cultural tourism projects on offer, the greater the opportunity for the Indigenous population to find meaningful employment. “We want to be part of society and don’t want to be welfare driven,” Rodney says. “More tourism ventures would help create employment, show caring for country and allow us to display the culture we have because people want to come and see it.” He is not surprised by the respect being bestowed on wukalina Walk. “I am not surprised by its success because when I was involved in the green paper in 2000 for national tourism, 90 per cent of international visitors said they wanted an Indigenous experience,” Rodney reflects. “We need other walks around the state so that there are greater opportunities for different people to have access to an experience where they can walk away with 50-60,000 years of the experience from the people who lived in that area.” With the State Government releasing the Pathway to Truth-Telling and Treaty Report, Aboriginal communities are hopeful the future will be one with reduced racism and greater opportunities for the traditional owners of the land. “When I started, I had to deal with so many racist people in this state and it was tragic to work with people who didn’t get it,” Gill said.
SPRING | 2021 | ISSUE 7 Photo credit: Rob Burnett
But now to see the conversations and the work that Kate Warner and Tim McCormack have done with the report, in such a genuine, honest and caring way, the conversations have changed – it is like chalk and cheese.
That reflection is echoed by Nayri Niara founding director Ruth Langford, a proud Aboriginal woman born in Tasmania/lutrawita, whose mother is a Yorta Yorta woman from Murray River country. Nayri Niara is an Aboriginalowned and operated social enterprise based on Hobart’s waterfront at the Long House. It reaches 20,000 people a year globally through its creative programs, wellbeing practitioners, mentoring/ internship programs and events. “We don’t silo ourselves into Indigenous tourism but align ourselves with cultural values of passing medicine on and enhancing the wellbeing and good spirit of people,” Ruth explains.
The enterprise is perhaps best known for its Nayri Niara Good Spirit Festival – a bi-annual gathering of music, ceremony, knowledge sharing and arts, held at lunawunna alonnah, Bruny Island, Tasmania – the next event is scheduled for April 22-25, 2022. Ruth says the first festival was held at Cloudy Bay in 2009 with 150 people in her front yard “because there had been a significant shift and Aboriginal elders felt more comfortable and confident in sharing their knowledge”. She says she has gladly witnessed a significant expansion in the willingness of people wanting to learn and understand more about Aboriginal history and culture. 5
“We want to respond to the expanding willingness and goodwill of people wanting to support Aboriginal tourism but there needs to be an investment in infrastructure and business development and we have been working hard over 20 years to develop enterprise but Tasmania is 20 years behind other states in investment in Aboriginal tourism development. “My vision is to grow our enterprise hub at the Long House to support emerging businesses, expand our internship program for more cultural training and to teach transferrable skills across hospitality, creative arts and tourism.
We see costeffective, impactful progress that supports the broader community and it is worth investing in.
All three community leaders agree that the process of further growth needs to be carefully managed and any new experience needs to be developed organically.
Photo credit: Rob Burnett
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“We as non-Aboriginals can be quite demanding and want things done quickly. The government processes and the grant processes have very high expectations and the way we communicate and expect
SPRING | 2021 | ISSUE 7 Clyde Mansell. Photo credit: Rob Burnett 7
wukalina Walk. Photo credit Rob Burnett
outcomes immediately is the exact opposite for Aboriginal people.
A culture that survived against the odds may just be about to enjoy a prosperous new era.
“Everything is circular and it takes a long time for them to trust people so we have to be patient and let the experience be organic,” Gill says.
“I know of four Aboriginal businesses in tourism and cultural sharing that would like to co-home but don’t have the infrastructure so now is the time to support people who are passionate, willing and capable,” Ruth says.
Rodney adds: “You have got to make sure we are totally involved in the process and we have a sense of control so that our heritage is respected. People think we are always negative and complaining but we just need to have greater protections under the Heritage Act for Aboriginal culture.”
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“We need to go beyond the words.” It seems fitting for Clyde Mansell to have the final say.
The wukalina Walk is a showcase for what is possible for my community when we are able to access our country, while being given both the autonomy and the support required to realise our long-held dream of providing employment for our people.
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SPRING | 2021 | ISSUE 7
POLICY WATCH: EYES TURN TO FEDERAL ELECTION
Spirit of Tasmania. Photo credit: Sean Scott
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federal election is due anytime between now and May, with all the pundits expecting we’ll all be rolling up to our local primary school for a democracy sausage some Saturday in either March or May. As always, Tasmania can expect more than our fair share of election attention over the next few months. The northern seat of Bass was decided by a mere 300 votes at the 2018 poll, so it will be among the most hotlycontested seats in the country. Braddon, the electorate of the North-West and West Coasts, along with the sprawling seat of Lyons, that covers nearly 10
60 percent of the island, are both considered marginal, meaning locals can expect a regular stream of visiting federal ministers and their opposition counterparts once our borders re-open. Tourism always features prominently in federal election campaigns in Tasmania; such is the importance of the visitor economy to the state, and especially the regional communities that make up those marginal electorate. Tourism announcements also make good media events in an election campaign and are usually broadly supported by the public. Over recent federal elections
Some of these commitments have delivered great outcomes for the industry, such as the upgrade to Woolmers Visitor Centre and federal funding to help upgrade visitor infrastructure at Freycinet and Cradle Mountain, along with expanding the Hobart Airport runway. Others made for great pictures on the TV news but, alas, that’s all they delivered. Who could forget Tony Abbott’s Cadbury Visitor Centre announcement, and we can only dare to imagine what could now be, had a promise to help fast-track MONA’s next development been announced by the party that went on to win the last election. Such is the way with robust election campaigns in Australia! In this election, however, when everything we are trying to do is so focused on rebuilding out of COVID, every promise made in the tourism space is a crucial opportunity for a strategic investment in that recovery. TICT is working with tourism operators and Regional Tourism Organisations in identifying what we believe are the game changing opportunities for tourism that
any side of politics could get behind in the forthcoming election campaign. Headlining our ‘wish list’ will be the reintroduction of the ‘Free Car Fares’ initiative that was so successful in stimulating demand on the Spirit of Tasmania ships over the first half of 2021. The Bass Strait Passenger Vehicle Equalisation Scheme (BSPVES) was first introduced by John Howard in 1996 on the simple principle that it should cost the same to take your vehicle across Bass Strait as it does to drive a similar distance anywhere else in the country on the Australian Government funded National Highway Network. The scheme is a payment paid by the Australian Government to TT Line for every vehicle they carry on the Spirit of Tasmania. For several years the BSPVES was not indexed, meaning it has lost some of its relative value, and we all know it costs much more now to put your car on the Spirits than it would to drive between, say, Melbourne and Adelaide.
The $6 million ‘Free Car Fares’ Initiative that ran from February to June this year was instrumental in the surge of visitor activity we saw over the first half of 2021 until the borders again closed with Victoria and NSW. We know sea arrivals surged, boosting our regional destinations, and the Spirit of Tasmania was able to meet demand with increased daytime sailings.
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we’ve seen high-profile commitments made at the height of the election campaign to some notable Tasmanian tourist attractions.
As a COVID recovery measure, TICT lobbied the Australian Government to elevate the BSPVES to restore its true value, and reduce the cost of travelling to Tasmania by sea.
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Hartz Peak Walk, Hartz Mountains National Park. Photo credit: Stu Gibson 12
SPRING | 2021 | ISSUE 7 West Coast Wilderness Railway. Photo credit: Ollie Khedun
We are certain the same thing will happen if the BSPVES was increased again, and we were able to offer ‘Free Car Fares’ across Bass Strait in 2022. But beyond reducing the cost of Bass Strait there are other opportunities right across the state for parties vying for your vote to make strategic investments in our visitor economy.
The Northern Tasmanian tourism industry is drawn to the vision of establishing Launceston as Australia’s premier regional events destination. Major events and high participation events are proven tourism winners, especially in addressing seasonality. 13
An artistsimpression of the new UTAS Stadium proposal
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SPRING | 2021 | ISSUE 7
Don River Railway. Photo credit: Tourism Australia & Graham Freeman
For Northern Tasmania to realise this vision, it needs quality events infrastructure. We’re right behind the plan to upgrade and expand University of Tasmania Stadium, while adding a new indoor sporting venue next door. This will establish the best sporting infrastructure in any regional city in Australia, in the centre of Launceston. In the south, we want to see a big commitment to science – not tourism! A new CSIRO as the centrepiece of the proposed Antarctic Precinct at Macquarie Point will not only consolidate Tasmania’s status as an Antarctic research hub but will also free up the CSIRO’s current site on the amazing headlands at the end of Castray Esplanade. This is the site that has enormous tourism potential, extending Salamanca to the water edge and Battery Point to the city. On the North-West coast, the local industry is rallying behind Devonport’s iconic Don River Railway and
a new demand-driving attraction for the Far North West. Both these destinations desperately need new attractions, and federal support could be transformative for the whole region.
Parks and Wildlife Service will support conservation, fire management and priority infrastructure projects.
On the East Coast it’s all about upgrading the Tasman Highway, and on the West Coast we need to support the icons that underpin the region’s visitor economy. Listing the West Coast Wilderness Railway on the National Heritage List will secure the Railway for generations to come, while recognising this West Coast icon as one of Australia’s finest examples of industrial heritage.
These are our key priorities in the election, and over coming months we’ll be talking to politicians on all sides of the fence about these projects, and the opportunity they have in this election to invest in Tasmania’s tourism resurgence.
Finally, more funding for our National Parks is always a smart investment for any would-be government. New and upgraded walks across the state are demand drivers for regional destinations, while further Australian Government funding for the
Luke Martin 15
TOURISM PROFILE: ONE-ON-ONE WITH TASSIE’S FEMALE “BEER BOSS”
Photo credit: Museum of Old and New Art
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or most of her professional life, Lauren Sheppard has been a minority in traditionally maledominated businesses. As General Manager at Tasmania’s largest independent craft brewery, Moo Brew, Lauren’s CV traverses the finance, superannuation, automotive and wine industries.
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But she – like so many other female powerhouses in the Tasmanian tourism industry – doesn’t want her success to be defined by her gender. “I don’t want people to mention my gender. The product, the business and me as a businessperson with iconic Tasmanian brands is what should be important,” she says. “But what has become evident in the roles that I’ve worked in is that, in order for us to eventually talk about (gender equity) less, we first need to talk about it more.”
It’s a conversation that Lauren believes will continue past this generation before the necessary change comes to fruition. Indeed, global economic reports have Australia sitting at 50th in the world for gender gaps on economic, political education and health-based criteria. For Lauren, it’s a conversation for which she is a reluctant but willing exemplar.
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I’m a woman in the beer industry because I love Tasmania, beer and the liquor industry generally,” she says. “But I’ve got two daughters and I’m proud that my eight-year-old tells people that mummy’s a ‘beer boss’! I’d like there to be heaps of women in these kinds of roles, so if me being visible in this space helps another woman, I’d be very proud of that.
Lauren’s initiation into her role with Moo Brew was not without its challenges. When she was approached in the thick of Tasmania’s 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, she was working from home as the Business Operations Manager for the museum’s wine labels, Moorilla and Domaine A.
Photo credit: Museum of Old and New Art
“It was an interesting time to be thinking about recruitment, and it came with its challenges,” she recalls. “But I don’t like to stand still for too long, and I like the elements of change and improvement. I said yes and the rest is history.” 17
Photo credit: Museum of Old and New Art 18
Since then, Lauren has worked closely with Moo Brew’s head brewer and her team to expand the brand’s reach, penetrate new markets and build on the business’ commercial success. “I have a reputation for being commercially-driven – I’m a tight-arse by nature,” she says. “I firmly believe in driving great product to market, but I also believe that the best approach to things has good results for the bottom line.” The brand’s goal to achieve greater market share had its masterstroke in the release of Brew Tassie Lager, a style that diverts from Moo Brew’s typical craft beers. “Our Moo Brew icons are on most of the wine lists of Tasmania, and they’ll never change,” Lauren says. “But we identified a gap for a more approachable style of lager that was really crisp, drinkable and approachable, both stylistically and price-wise.” So began a product development phase unlike anything Moo Brew had ever
entertained before. The first step was to identify a new target customer (“not every craft beer drinker is middleaged, white and has a beard,” Lauren says), and focus groups then sought to discover the market’s beer-buying and drinking habits. “Our brewery is used to doing what we want to do, so asking this new customer what they want was new for us,” Lauren says. “I was adamant that I would not put a beer to market that the head brewer was not proud to call his, though. Brand reputation and perception is far more important than selling a few cartons.” In this case, Moo Brew achieved both. Launched at Mona Foma in January this year, Brew Tassie Lager now holds second place in the brand’s production volume. “It’s exciting that we could fill that gap in the market, but still make excellent beer that’s indicative of Moo Brew. We’re most proud of its quality and consistency – the market as a whole expects that from us.”
Perhaps most importantly for Lauren, the style has been embraced by its eponymous market. She’s fiercely proud of being Tasmanian and prouder still that Brew Tassie Lager puts the spotlight on its locality.
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Photo credit: Museum of Old and New Art
We wanted to make sure that Tasmania was front-andcentre, and to acknowledge the trend to buy and support local. To have that smack bang on a can is our thanks for the local support our business has received and continues to receive. Emma Azon-Jacometti 19
TALKING POINT: VACCINE POLICIES FOR TOURISM & HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES
Launceston Airport. Photo credit: Rob Burnett
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ith Tasmania re-opening its borders on December 15th and COVID inevitably going to arrive in our community during the summer months, all Tasmanian business operators must confront the reality of COVID potentially entering their workplace. In preparation for our borders re-opening to Victoria and NSW, the Tasmanian Government has asked every business to review their COVID safe plans and consider how they will be managing the risk of the disease entering the workplace. 20
With our most effective form of defence against COVID being vaccination, one of the big questions many Tasmanian business operators are weighing up is their own internal vaccination policy for both customers and staff. While some states are going down the mandatory vaccination path for all hospitality and tourism venues, in Tasmania, at this stage (and please note I am writing this on November 29th and we all know how quickly things can change in the COVID-era), it is being left to individual businesses to determine their own course of action.
SPRING | 2021 | ISSUE 7 Three Capes Track check in – Port Arthur Historic Site. Photo credit: Alastair Bett
We know several Tasmanian tourism businesses have already made clear their preference to mandate vaccinations for both their staff and guests, regardless of the official government directives – considering it the optimum way to minimise risk for themselves, their employees, and customers. The risk to employers of having staff fall ill for an extended period on the workplace can have financial and industrial implications, particularly if they fall under work cover. For some operators we know their approach to vaccinations is also being heavily market
influenced. We have heard reports from local attraction and tour operators already receiving inquiries about their vaccination policies from potential guests, especially coming out of Victoria, who are now accustomed to mandatory vaccination requirements in nearly all places of public gatherings. To assist these businesses in navigating this complex process, a new ‘COVID Vaxx’ Module has been added to the Australian Quality Tourism Framework, available to all Tourism Accredited and Star Rated Accommodation Operators. The module has been
developed to assist small and medium tourism businesses with establishing their own vaccination policy for bookings, patrons, and staff. The module can be accessed through the Quality Tourism Framework portal, where it takes operators through the procedures and policies a business needs to consider if it wishes to have vaccine policies in place for their staff, patrons, or both. There is also sample policy wording for businesses to copy and apply in their own booking terms and conditions. This is to protect you against refunds and late cancellations. 21
Launceston Airport. Photo credit: Revolution MTB 22
businesses navigate this challenging space. The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) has been specifically resourced by the Tasmanian Government to provide some basic industrial advice to all Tasmanian employers (not just TCCI members). The TCCI can be contacted on 1300 559 112. Businesses in the hospitality and accommodation space can also contact the Tasmanian Hospitality Association (THA), who have a very responsive industrial relations unit and obviously know our sector well. The THA can be contacted on 6220 7300.
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Each businesses situation is unique and the policy and advice within this new module should be considered general in nature, but it does provide a checklist for any operator to work through in developing and applying their own vaccination policy. Those that do work through the module and can demonstrate they have adopted policies will then have access to a new ‘Covid Vaxx’ trademark they can apply on their website and marketing collateral. They will also receive a certificate and information to make available to any customers or industry partners inquiring about their vaccination policy. Of course, for some operators it is not an easy decision to adopt mandatory policies across their business. Most businesses will inevitably have employees who are choosing to not be vaccinated, or simply don’t want to be asked the question. With no definitive government health directive on vaccinations, the workplace relations challenges here could be quite murky. In the absence of a definitive government directive on vaccinations in our sectors, business operators will need to consider their own obligations under Fair Work in applying any new workplace policies relating to vaccinations. TICT is not a registered industrial organisation specialising in Fair Work, but there are other organisations resourced to assist tourism
Whatever your vaccine policy is, it is critical you understand both your rights and obligations to your employees and customers. Take advantage of the free resources and advice available to you and ensure you protect yourself, your staff and guests at every level. Luke Martin 23
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TOURISM AWARDS: NEW SHINING STARS
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Chairlift – Cataract Gorge Reserve, First Basin and Cliff Grounds. Photo credit: Tourism Tasmania & Kathryn Leahy
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he 2021 Tasmanian Tourism Awards celebrated innovation and resilience in an environment unlike any other our industry has ever faced.
Lee, David and Jo Larter – Gorge Scenic Chairlift
Winning gold recognises excellence, quality and sustainability in tourism, and thrusts Tasmanian operators straight on to the national stage as finalists in the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.
rating score are also considered in determining our state’s top operators. It’s no mean feat to enter the awards program, and – as with many things – the first time can be the toughest.
Those incredible trophies are hard won! Awards entrants are required to write an 8000-word submission to rigorous criteria, while an in-person site visit, online review and consumer
In honour of every awards entrant over the years, all of whom have had their own first time, we’re throwing the spotlight on the winners who took gold on debut in 2021!
GORGE SCENIC CHAIRLIFT GOLD – TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Operating since 1972, the Gorge Scenic Chairlift traverses Launceston’s Cataract Gorge from above, allowing passengers to appreciate fully the spectacular views of this ancient natural icon. It boasts 25
the longest single span of any chairlift in the world, which travels over the basin, taking in majestic dolerite cliffs, Victorian gardens and native fauna. Founded by Barry Larter, the Gorge Scenic Chairlift has always been a family affair and remains in the Larter’s care, with Jo and David at the helm.
“We’ve been there for 50 years next year and a lot of people have supported us in that time,” says David. “We’re grateful to all our customers – especially the locals – and so proud of our amazing team!” 26
Lap of Tasmania’s Andrew and Karen Strikis
LAP OF TASMANIA GOLD – TOURISM MARKETING & CAMPAIGNS
Launched in May 2019, Lap of Tasmania was inspired by founder Andrew Strikis’ road trip experience in far-north Scotland. With natural beauty in spades, short distances between gourmet food stops, cosy B&Bs and an aura of mystique, a road trip connecting Tasmania’s best bits seemed an obvious new business endeavour and brand. Linking 12 of Tassie’s finest natural attractions and
following sealed roads for its entire distance, the Lap of Tasmania is a self-drive road trip that harnesses the power of the digital environment to promote Tasmania as a destination to the world.
“It takes a community to truly make the Lap of Tasmania feel alive, diverse, vibrant and filled with possibility,” says Andrew. “So many people have
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played their part in supporting me and the business, and to take out the gold award is a dream come true.” TURNER STILLHOUSE GOLD – TOURISM WINERIES, DISTILLERIES & BREWERIES
Located in northern Tasmania at Tamar Ridge, Turner Stillhouse is a craft spirits distillery that has been producing bespoke gin since 2018. Its flagship brand Three Cuts Gin was the highest award-rated gin in Tasmania last year, winning four medals at the prestigious International Wine & Spirits
Justin Turner and Brett Coulson of Turner Stillhouse with Hon Sarah Courtney MP
Competition in London, and was the only Tasmanian gin to have ever won Gold. Founder, CEO and distiller Justin Turner had a vision to create a distillery that brought a unique interactive experience to guests, and his dream came to life when Turner Stillhouse opened in late 2019.
Justin says. “All of the nominees do such a fantastic job in creating an environment where Tasmania is a worldclass destination for wine, beer and spirit connoisseurs.”
“We’re a threeyear-old distillery, so for us to come out on top is such a huge achievement,” 27
Kittawa Lodge. Photo credit: Emilie Ristevski
KITTAWA LODGE GOLD – GUSTAV WEINDORFER AWARD FOR NEW TOURISM BUSINESS
In the middle of Bass Strait, King Island is home to Kittawa Lodge, an adults-only boutique luxury lodge situated on a secluded ocean-front property. The lodge offers two onebedroom hideaways, nestled within over 750 metres of coastline, grassy sand dunes and natural spring dams. Created, owned and operated by sea-changers Aaron Suine and Nick Stead, Kittawa Lodge welcomed its first guests on 18 October 2019, after three years of planning and development. By March 2020, interstate and international borders had slammed shut and this still-new business was effectively unable to accept
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Kittawa Lodge – Aaron Suine and Nick Stead
guests for nearly six months. Rather than rest on their laurels, Aaron and Nick used this forced business sabbatical to further grow Kittawa Lodge’s brand, ensuring a strong comeback from December 2020 that has continued since. As the first King Island business to win a Tasmanian Tourism Award, Aaron and Nick are proud to share their gold with the island community.
“This (Award) is as much about our island community as it is for our small business,” says Aaron. “We are just so incredibly grateful to have received this recognition – it was certainly not what we were expecting in starting the process, but we are completely chuffed!”
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Balmoral Motor Inn Harpers on the Beach Tarkine Wilderness Lodge National Park Hotel Cradle Cottages Hobart Apartments Every Man and His Dog Vineyard
Bridport Hotel Hamptons on the Bay 1427 Cradle Mountain Road Murchison Lodge Ross Motel Elizabeth Street Pier Bagdad Club
Hobart 5 Victoria Street l 03 6220 6999 Launceston 54 Cameron Street l 03 6333 7888 Devonport 48-54 Oldaker Street l 03 6424 3568 knightfrank.com.au
SPRING | 2021 | ISSUE 7
Locally Expert, Globally Connected.
0409 186 261 0418 128 735 0418 136 086 0414 395 007 0409 317 607 0408 134 025 0419 323 626 0419 516 629
New Sydney Hotel Richmond Tasting House Hotel Soho Crown Inn Telegraph Hotel 52 Alexandra Street, Burnie
TOURISM & BUSINESS TIES OPPORTUNITasman ia
29 Showcasing Hotels, motels, & accommodation businesses for sale . throughout Tasmania
SELLING YOUR ASSET WITH KNIGHT FRA
NK.
TOURISM FACES: WERE YOU SPOTTED AT TASMANIAN TOURISM’S NIGHT OF NIGHTS?
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SPRING | 2021 | ISSUE 7
The Podcast Series for Tasmanian tourism operators and industry professionals. 60 Bite Size Conservations with our best and brightest, the influential and the inspiring in Tasmanian tourism. Listen in the car, at the desk, in the shower, walking the dog… Wherever and whenever suits you. Best of all, they’re 100% FREE Stream from www.tict.com.au Or search for ‘Talking Tourism’ wherever you get your Podcasts. Talking Tourism is an initiative of
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TICT PARTNERS SUPPORTING TASMANIA’S TOURISM & HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY SPRING | 2021 | ISSUE 7
MAJOR PARTNERS
INDUSTRY PARTNERS
Indep resid
PREFERRED PARTNERS Locally Expert, Globally Connected
Locall
Knight Frank are Tasmania’s only full-line statewide real estate agency with offices strategically located in Hobart, Launceston and Devonport.
As part of the Global Knight Frank network we provide specialised Hotel, Motel and business brokerage services.
Affiliations •
Knight Frank has been endorsed by the Tasmanian Hospitality Association (THA) for over 30 years.
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Knight Frank is the only endorsed Agent for the Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania (TICT). Details of our listings are regularly forwarded for distribution to over 4,000 members.
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Knight Frank has a conjunctional selling
Tasmanian
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Level 5, 29 Elizabeth Street Hobart TAS 7000 (03) 6231 2244 info@tict.com.au www.tict.com.au 34
