Northern Tasmania is set to receive a $250,000 investment to improve and upgrade its cultural and festival infrastructure in a bid to attract more events to the region.
The funding will go towards creating a “vital” plan that will future-proof Launceston and the north as an attractive events destination, Visit Northern Tasmania CEO Niel Mason said.
“This will create a clear and independent understanding of existing festivals and events, forecast opportunities for growth through design, commercial and operational requirements and recommend strategies for cultural, social and economic growth,” he said.
“This is a leading contemporary strategic approach to destination management and that will see Northern Tasmania become competitive and achieve the market share it deserves.”
Some of the biggest events to take place in Tasmania’s north include Party in the Paddock, Tassie Scallop Fiesta, Chocolate Winterfest, Launceston’s Junction Arts Festival and Festivale.
Minister Nick Duigan hopes work on the plan will be wrapped up within about 12 months.
“We know that festivals and events have a really powerful impact in our visitor economy,” Duigan said.
“They bring people into the regions, they amplify the dollars that people tend to spend and they are one of the key pillars to our strong plan for delivering Tasmania’s future into 2030.”
The plan will involve an audit and assessment of existing infrastructure and will be informed by a steering committee with input from hospitality, tourism, events, infrastructure and local government sectors.
