DECEMBER 2020
     

Peak body calls for extension of equalisation scheme

High ferry fares taking the spending spirit out of Xmas tourism in Tassie

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TASMANIA'S peak caravanning industry body is blaming high ferry fares for a shortage of RV tourists on the Apple Isle.

Caravanning Tasmania president Bronwyn Wild has now warned that if something is not done soon, Christmas caravanning travel will be lost to other states, resulting in millions of lost dollars for the Tasmanian economy.

"With the aggressive push by other state marketing agencies to attract Victorians, Tasmania is missing out on the price sensitive market," she said.

"Fares on the Spirit of Tasmania is a strong impediment as Australians look to domestic holiday options as they come out of COVID lockdown."

Caravanning Tasmania is the latest to urge the Federal Government to extend the Bass Strait Passenger Vehicle Equalisation Scheme by providing free travel for cars and caravans to support struggling local operators.

"Caravanning Tasmania recognises the importance of attracting interstate visitors which would normally be starting to fill local caravan parks ahead of the peak summer season," it said.

The Bass Strait Passenger Vehicle Equalisation Scheme has been operating since 1996, providing a rebate to equalise the cost of sea travel on the National Highway network, and allowing for visitors to Tasmania the flexibility of travelling around the island using their own transport.

This means they travel further, stay longer and spend more, assisting many regional communities throughout the state.

Ms Wild said many operators were still struggling to recover out of COVID and had not experienced the bounce seen in other caravanning markets.

"Caravanning and camping is one of the safest COVID activities around with the ability for families to get out of their house, while controlling their own environment, whether that be in stand-alone roofed accommodation or through the use of your own car and caravan," she said.

"Despite this, summer bookings remain soft across the state and some urgent intervention needs to occur to give the necessary stimulus for interstate visitation to return."

● The news comes as newly released figures for November reveal it was Australia's worst performing destination, with falls of 40 percent on last year.

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