Travel vouchers forget Derwent Valley

Originally published 7 October 2020

Struggling Derwent Valley tourism operators are hopeful for a turnaround, as the government’s travel voucher scheme is unlikely to attract visitors.

The “Make Yourself At Home” campaign has provided $7.5 million in vouchers to Tasmanian residents, reimbursing them for accommodation and experiences across the state.

Tim Last, owner of the Junction Motel in New Norfolk, says that the scheme is centred on East and West Coast tourist hotspots, and does nothing to help smaller regions like the Derwent Valley.

“Basically in Hobart’s eyes we haven’t got enough to sell around the area, that’s how they think.

“I’m too close to Hobart, and we had a meeting the other day with a few locals and we all say the same, we haven’t seen much change.” Mr Last said.

The Derwent Valley has been growing in recent years as both a destination and a region, as more people from Hobart escape city life.

“We’ve also been a bit of an ink spot out here as far as Hobart, we get the overflow, and it’s only in the last few years, I’ve been here 12 years and now people are starting to come as a destination,” Mr Last said.

Usually sold out months in advance, one of the region’s most coveted culinary experiences has also been hit by the downturn.

The Agrarian Kitchen co-founder Rodney Dunn says most of his customers come from interstate, and locals are spending where they can, but it’s not enough.

“Something like 70% of our clientele was from outside of Tasmania. It’s very hard to operate on 30% when your business has been set up and geared and you’ve got your staff around a certain number,

“They are trying to spend their money here, but at the end of the day we just don’t have the population to support the visitor infrastructure which has been set up for a mainland and international clientele,” Mr Dunn says.

Tasmania’s tourism economy has shuddered due to border closures brought on by Covid-19, with operators hesitant to fully invest in opening their doors until there is a boost to visitor numbers once the border reopens.

“I think people have to be very careful just sort of opening up gradually and slowly catering for demand as you go,” Mr Dunn says.

The Derwent Valley Council was contacted for comment.

The Tasmanian Government are reopening borders to everywhere but Victoria and New South Wales on October 26.