East Coast Winners Qantas Australia Tourism Awards
Tourism Tasmania Industry Update - St Helens
TICT Plastic Free Places
THTA - Leadership Series Now Open
Nominate Your Business for ECTT Recognition Award
Tourism Research Australia Reports
What's On - Events
Business Grants available
ECTT International Women's Day Lunch 2026
Panel Host Jen Fry and Guest Speakers Ange Boxall, Lynne Wilton & Anna Williams
Thank you to everyone who joined East Coast Tasmania Tourism to celebrate International Women's Day at Milton Vineyard. Guided by the global theme “Give to Gain”, the event brought together inspiring East Coast women and ECTT Industry Recognition Award recipients to share their experiences, insights and the importance of giving back to strengthen our tourism community.
A heartfelt thank you to our host, Jen Fry, (ECTT Chair) for guiding the conversation, and to our guest speakers, Ange Boxall (ECHO Festival), Lynne Wilton (Little Beach Co Resort) and Anna Williams (Martha Vale Park), for generously sharing their knowledge, stories and perspectives from across the East Coast tourism industry.
We also extend our sincere thanks to A Tale Among the Vines for providing a beautiful, locally inspired lunch, and to Milton Vineyard for hosting us in such a stunning setting.
This event was proudly supported by the Hospitality Tasmania Women in Leadership Program, whose sponsorship helped make the gathering possible.
Thank you again to everyone who attended and contributed to such a meaningful afternoon celebrating leadership, connection and the strength of women across the East Coast tourism community
Congratulations to our East Coast Winners of the 2025 Qantas Australia Tourism Awards
Congratulations to several outstanding East Coast operators recognised at the Australian Tourism Awards, celebrating excellence across Australia’s tourism industry.
A special congratulations to Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, which took home Gold in the Major Tour & Transport Operators category, and to Younique Stays, awarded Bronze in Tourism Retail, Hire & Services.
We also congratulate our East Coast businesses recognised as national finalists:
wukalina Walk – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experiences
These results highlight the strength, innovation and quality of tourism experiences on Tasmania’s East Coast, with local operators continuing to shine on the national stage.
Tourism Tasmania Industry Update St Helens
Image Credit Tourism Tasmania
Tourism Tasmania is hosting an Industry Update in St Helens, sharing the latest tourism trends and updates on strategy and marketing activity.
The session will also feature a panel discussion on how AI and emerging technology are reshaping the tourism landscape, followed by an opportunity to network with industry peers, the Tourism Tasmania team and regional tourism organisations over drinks and nibbles.
There is also an Online Session available for those who cannot attend in person; Friday, Apr 17th, 11 am to 12 pm.
Now Open: Plastic Free Places Tasmania
The Tourism Industry Council Tasmania (TICT) is offering free access to the Plastic Free Places Program for accredited operators and TICT members. Delivered in partnership with Boomerang Alliance, the program helps tourism businesses reduce single-use plastics while identifying practical cost-saving opportunities.
Participants receive a free onsite assessment, tailored recommendations, cost calculators and hands-on support to transition to suitable alternatives at a pace that works for their business. The program has already helped businesses across Australia eliminate more than 43 million single-use plastic items.
Benefits include:
Reducing purchasing, waste and disposal costs
Access to tailored advice and supplier support
Strengthening sustainability credentials and preparing for Tasmania’s phase-out of single-use plastics
The Tasmanian Hospitality & Tourism Academy (THTA) has launched its expanded Leadership Series, designed for emerging and current leaders across hospitality, tourism, events and sport.
Delivered through six practical workshops, the program focuses on building real-world leadership skills, including communicating effectively, getting the best from teams, leading under pressure and developing your own leadership style. Each module is stand-alone, allowing participants to join the sessions most relevant to them.
Workshops are primarily delivered in Hobart, with Module 1 also available in Launceston and Devonport. Cost: $150 per module.
Presented quarterly, the awards recognise excellence across four categories: Positive Impact, Accessibility & Inclusivity, Guest Love, and Innovation & Transformation.
These awards shine a light on the individuals and operators who go above and beyond to create outstanding visitor experiences and strengthen our region’s tourism offering.
Know someone doing great things on the East Coast?
Nominate them today and help us celebrate the people shaping the future of our region’s tourism industry
Tourism Research Australia (TRA) has released its latest report on tourism businesses across the country, providing insights into the number, size and trends of tourism-related businesses over the past five years.
Key findings include:
361,270 tourism-related businesses operating in Australia (June 2025) — a record high
Tourism businesses make up 13.2% of all Australian businesses
The sector has grown by 8% over the past five years
95% are small businesses employing fewer than 20 people
30% are located in regional Australia, highlighting the vital role tourism plays in supporting regional communities like those on Tasmania’s East Coast
There are a number of industry grants and funding opportunities now available to help support your business visit the website
The Tasmanian tourism industry acknowledges the Tasmanian Aboriginal people and their enduring custodianship of lutruwita / Tasmania. We honour 40,000 years of uninterrupted care, protection and belonging to these islands, before the invasion and colonisation of European settlement. As a tourism industry that welcomes visitors to these lands, we acknowledge our responsibility to represent to our visitors Tasmania’s deep and complex history, fully, respectfully and truthfully. We acknowledge the Aboriginal people who continue to care for this country today. We pay our respects to their elders, past and present. We honour their stories, songs, art, and culture, and their aspirations for the future of their people and these lands. We respectfully ask that tourism be a part of that future.
East Coast Tasmania Tourism Inc, PO Box 115, Bicheno, Tasmania 7215, Australia
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