Premier Jeremy Rockliff says celebrity endorsements and big name rock stars have been a driving factor in strong Tasmanian tourism numbers.
It comes after the state government invested $500,000, alongside $150,000 from the Launceston City Council, to bring the Foo Fighters to Tasmania’s north.
Rockliff says the show at York Park in Launceston injected around $7.8 million into the local economy.
“Upgrading campgrounds such as Flinders Island, and of course the promotion of people such as Gordon Ramsay also puts a spotlight on the wonderful offerings we have here in Tasmania. Our visitor economy is strong,” he said.
“We’ve returned to pre-COVID levels, but our yield is higher, and that means that people are coming to Tasmania and spending more.”
Launceston Airport recorded its busiest day ever when 6880 travellers passed through on 23 January, the day before the Foo Fighters’ sold-out concert.
The premier said those numbers highlight the massive economic impact of bringing major international acts to Tasmania.
Liberal Member for Rosevears Jo Palmer said the figures proved the concert’s value to the state’s visitor economy.
“Major events are strong drivers of visitation to Tasmania,” Palmer said.
“The Foo Fighters only Australian show being held in Launceston has delivered significant benefits to the Tasmanian economy, and the visitor numbers from that weekend prove it,” she said.
Hotels and motels across Launceston hit capacity on the weekend of the concert, with Palmer describing the city as “pumping”.
The concert was part of a bumper summer of events in northern Tasmania that also included Festivale and Party in the Paddock.
Palmer said Party in the Paddock also attracted record patron numbers, boosting the region’s tourism credentials.
Rockliff said the current effects of rising fuel prices could be felt in tourism numbers in Tasmania.
“We need to be very attuned to the effects of increased fuel prices because people’s discretionary income is limited and therefore people make decisions based on what they can afford,” he said.
