Island focuses attention on’alternative Australia’ campaign

Tourism Tasmania

Island focuses attention on’alternative Australia’ campaign

THE rugged, wilderness region of Tasmania is being promoted to the international market as an ‘alternative Australia’ product in the aftermath of the Olympics.

With all the attention focused on New South Wales and the Gold Coast during the past six weeks, Tourism Tasmania is hoping to generate more interest in the country’s less known island destination. London-based regional manager-Europe David Phillips said the main focus for World Travel Market and throughout next year will be the promotion and development of wilderness attractions across Tasmania.

In line with this theme, an historic steam-train journey through partly virgin rainforest will be available to visitors early next year when the Abt Railway is reopened.

Some £8.5 million has been spent on new accommodation, including a wilderness-style village at Cradle Mountain, spa accommodation and facilities at the Moorilla Vineyard, and a new spa resort in the capital, Hobart. Phillips said Tasmania will also be promoting its food and wine, wildlife and heritage attractions at WTM.

Out and about: the region is flagging up new outdoor accommodation

NEWS FLASH

&#42 Representatives will be on hand to talk about Tasmania’s first ‘Ten Days on the Island’ festival, taking place between March 30 and April 8 next year. It includes artists from Ireland, Orkney and the Shetland Isles, Singapore, Iceland, New Zealand, Japan, the US and Madagascar.