Today's update is a big one - so please stick with me!

First up, we are launching the 2026 Tasmanian Tourism Conference. Arguably, given the global uncertainty, there has never been a more important time for our industry to come together. I'm incredibly excited to say that we will be welcoming an international thought leader to our conversations as well as the Managing Director of Tourism Australia, Robin Mack, in addition to national experts on demographic change, wellness tourism and the impacts of tech and AI. We really would love to see you there. Please read more below.

There's also been a huge amount happening in advocacy in the following three areas:

Federal Budget - the TICT in conjunction with the Australian Tourism Industry Council (ATIC) advocates for Federal funding and policies to assist tourism businesses. The Federal Budget presented a mixed bag but in relation to tourism;

• $2M over two years was secured to extend our Quality Tourism Framework to assist at least 1,000 businesses achieve Sustainable Tourism Accreditation, Accessible Tourism, Tourism Emissions Reductions and other national programs; and to further extend our e-learning online training.
• The Government has announced it will make reforms to the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program. ATIC has been advised the program will continue to enable WHMs to work in tourism and hospitality in regional areas for up to three years, consistent with our advocacy. ATIC will continue to advocate for WHMs as both essential visitors and workers for the tourism industry.
• There is no increase to funding for Tourism Australia and the Government will increase the Passenger Movement Charge (PMC) from 1 January 2027 by $10 from $70 to $80 per passenger. This increased tax on international tourism is being applied without any commitment to modernising airport/seaport border processing.

Tackling insurance challenges for Tasmanian tourism operators - following the release of the TICT's 'Insuring Tasmania's Tourism Industry' report which painted a deeply concerning picture about the impact of insurance affordability and accessibility on the future of our industry, the Tasmanian Government has outlined the next steps in its TasInsure policy. You can read more about that HERE. Of particular focus for our industry is the designated risk pool for 'hard to place' risks of which community events, adventure tourism, outdoor recreation operators, live entertainment and hospitality venues are identified. We'll be working with Government to inform this initiative further over the coming weeks. There's also a commitment to ensuring Tasmanian modelled adverse weather risks is taken on board in pricing by insurers, instead of modelling on those from overseas and interstate. The devil will always be in the detail, but we intend to work with Government to ensure this makes a real difference for our operators.

Short Stay Levy Bill - Despite the improvements made to the Bill following the TICT's feedback, we remain opposed to it. The Bill passed the Lower House last week, where an amendment to exempt farm stays was supported. The Bill is now due to be debated in the Upper House in August. You can read the TICT statement here and along with the RTOs and operators from right across the state - we will continue to fight it.

Amy Hills, CEO