East Coast Tasmania’s iconic Wineglass Bay has once again captured global attention, earning a place on the prestigious World’s 50 Best Beaches List for 2026; coming in at an impressive #21. It is one of only three Australian beaches to make this year’s list.
The list, shaped by insights from more than 1,000 travel professionals, adds to growing international attention for the region, alongside Larapuna / Bay of Fires being named the only Australasian destination in the BBC World's Best Beach Escapes last month.
ECTT is proud to see Wineglass Bay recognised on the world stage, while continuing to advocate for a thoughtful, sustainable approach to how visitors experience and value the region.
Off Season Local Experts - With Hilary Burden
Image Credit Tourism Tasmania
“If Tassie summers are golden, winters are silver – shimmering and opalescent" Hillary Burden.
It’s wonderful to see Bicheno local Hilary Burden, of Undersong Perfumery, featured as part of the Discover Tasmania Off Season campaign Local Experts series, sharing her perspective on experiencing winter on the East Coast.
Through her reflections, Hilary captures the essence of the season, from rugged coastal walks and wildlife encounters to the quiet beauty and slower pace that winter brings. Her insights celebrate not just the landscape but the sensory richness of the region, offering an authentic and inspiring invitation to experience the East Coast in a more immersive and thoughtful way.
Thanks to everyone who joined the April Industry Update sessions hosted by Tourism Tasmania. The update covered key insights for the months ahead, along with practical tools to support businesses across marketing, operations and emerging technologies.
If you weren’t able to attend, or would like to revisit the content, you can now access the recorded webinar, presentation slides and GenAI tools cheat sheet via the links provided.
Following on from the April Industry Update hosted by Tourism Tasmania, we’re excited to be running a three-part AI webinar series with Chief Technology and AI Officer Jen Robb.
These practical sessions are designed so you can jump in at the level that suits you, try things out between sessions, and build confidence using AI in your business.
Session 1 – Foundations For those new to AI or ready to put the April update into practice Tues 26 May, 3pm Register here
Session 2 – Deep Dive For operators starting to use AI and ready to go further Tues 2 June, 3pm
Session 3 – Advanced For regular users wanting to refine and extend how they use AI tools Tues 9 June, 3pm Register here
These sessions are practical, real-world focused, and designed to help you immediately apply what you learn in your own business.
Industry Pulse Check Survey
Photo Credit: Tourism Tasmania, Spring Bay Mill
Tourism Tasmania, in partnership with the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania, is continuing to monitor the impacts of rising costs and global travel conditions on local businesses, and your input is essential.
The updated Industry Pulse Check is now open and is the best way to share how your business is tracking and any challenges you’re experiencing. Your feedback directly helps inform how support is shaped for the industry.
The Tasmanian Government has tabled the Short Stay Levy Bill 2026 in Parliament, outlining plans for a 5% levy on short stay rental accommodation as part of its election commitment.
Treasurer Eric Abetz said the measure is intended to support the visitor economy, contribute to first home buyer programs, and ensure benefits are shared more broadly across the community.
Following consultation, a number of key refinements have been made, including that the levy will not commence before 1 January 2027, will only apply to bookings made through platforms (not direct bookings), and will exclude short stays within an owner-occupied residence.
The Tasmanian Young Tourism Network Education Tour is now open for expressions of interest, offering a valuable opportunity for emerging tourism professionals to grow their skills and connect with industry leaders.
Delivered by Tourism Industry Council Tasmania, the program takes participants to Victoria to experience leading tourism regions first-hand, including Geelong, Mornington and the Bellarine. The tour focuses on learning from successful operators, exploring best practice in visitor experience and innovation, and strengthening professional networks across the industry.
It’s a unique chance for the next generation of Tasmanian tourism leaders to gain fresh insights and bring ideas back to their own businesses and communities.
Business Tasmania, in partnership with Hospitality Tasmania, is offering a series of free online sessions to help hospitality businesses better understand and manage rising fuel and operating costs.
Led by Warren Moore (Braddon Business Centre), the sessions will explore practical revenue and cost scenarios, highlighting where fuel costs are having the greatest impact and how businesses can respond. Kelly Brown from Business Tasmania will also outline available government support and assistance programs.
The way visitors explore Tasmania is evolving - and so are their expectations. Electric vehicles are becoming an increasingly common part of travel, with more visitors actively seeking destinations that support their journey. For tourism businesses, this is a particularly timely opportunity to enhance guest experience and ensure you’re ready for what’s next.
Designed for Tasmanian tourism and hospitality businesses, the guide provides clear, actionable advice on selecting, installing and promoting EV charging infrastructure within your business - helping you position your business to welcome every visitor type into the future.
Have questions? Not sure where to start? Feel free to contact info@tict.com.au for guidance.
Updated Agritourism Flowcharts Available
Updated agritourism approval flowcharts are now available through the Business Tasmania website, providing a clearer, more user-friendly starting point for anyone considering an agritourism venture.
Originally developed as part of the Agritourism Toolkit, the charts have been refreshed in response to stakeholder feedback, including improved readability and the addition of clickable links to make it easier to navigate key information and requirements.
The updates are part of ongoing work to ensure the toolkit remains current, practical and useful for industry decision-making.
Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service has advised a series of upcoming works and temporary closures across key East Coast and island locations to support essential maintenance and infrastructure upgrades.
At St Columba Falls State Reserve, the St Columba Falls Walking Track and part of the adjacent car park will be closed from 18–25 May 2026 while final track surface upgrades are completed. Visitors are asked to follow all signage and contractor directions during this period.
Additional scheduled works include annual peninsula toilet waste removal and maintenance flights on 5–6 May, with short-term track closures in the Freycinet National Park area, including the Wineglass Bay Lookout and Hazards Circuit between 8am–10am on 6 May for gravel delivery. The lookout will remain open outside these times.
Looking further ahead, Maria Island National Park will be closed from 29 June to 10 July 2026 for ongoing infrastructure improvements.
PWS thanks visitors and the community for their cooperation and apologises for any inconvenience.
What's on
There's so many great events, markets, live music, classes and activities to get involved with on the East Coast.
To see the whole schedule for this year and beyond
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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