**Check against delivery
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a pleasure to be here today to launch the expansion of visitor facilities at the Bruny Island Cheese Corporation.
I congratulate Bruny Island Cheese Corporation on their success.
This is exactly the sort of innovative tourism experience the TQUAL Grants program targets.
In the past year, more than 600,000 international and domestic visitors to Hobart participated in food and wine related tourism activities.
The Bruny Island Cheese Corporation has tapped into this market, prompting an expansion of their tourism operations.
The $54,110 grant by the Australian Government will contribute to:
- the construction of a new undercover seating area;
- an expansion of the tasting and sales area; and
- the addition of a café at the existing site.
The construction will increase the capacity of the facility from 22 to 60 people enabling it to cater for the tour and small cruise markets.
Projects such as this are important. They support tourism throughout the region and keep jobs in the local community.
This is one of seventy tourism projects across Australia, which received almost $8.3 million under the TQUAL Grants program. Tasmania alone received six of these grants, worth almost $720,000.
National Long-Term Tourism Strategy
Tourism contributes more than $1 billion to the economy here in Tasmania and directly employs almost 13,700 people.
Nationally, it is a $40 billion industry, providing jobs for half a million Australians.
This Government is committed to the National Long Term Tourism strategy which ensures Australian tourism remains on a sustainable growth path.
One of our objectives is to unlock investment in infrastructure needed to support tourism in critical areas, such as hotels, airports and ports.
We are also working to improve skills and training, introduce the nation's first National Tourism Accreditation Framework, reform regulation, improve access to Australia's natural and cultural attractions and develop further Indigenous tourism.
Community Infrastructure
The Government recognises the long-term sustainability of the tourism industry also relies on investment in quality infrastructure.
That's why we have invested almost $5 million dollars in community infrastructure projects in Hobart and the surrounding region.
In addition, over $18 million has been allocated to upgrading transport infrastructure in Hobart and surrounding regions as part of the Nation Building stimulus package.
Tourism Promotion
Visitors to Tasmania have got behind the new $150 million 'There's Nothing Like Australia' global tourism marketing campaign.
More than 3,000 entries appear on the campaign website promoting Tasmanian tourism experiences. This is great news.
The campaign's innovative approach provides the opportunity for visitors to upload and share their unique Australian stories and images.
The winner of the competition will be lucky enough to have their experience used in the Tourism Australia campaign.
Conclusion
Ladies and Gentlemen, Tourism helps drive the Tasmanian economy.
Innovative projects such as this offer enhanced experiences for visitors, which will increase visitation and support jobs and the economy in Tasmania for years to come.
With commitment and vision, and the right strategy in place, we are building on our strong base and helping industry return to growth.
I wish you every success with your project.