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Mr Bacon: boost |
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A NEW partnership between Tasmanian Tourist Parks and Family Parks has
been welcomed by the Apple Isle's tourism minister.
Scott Bacon said the new alliance would help boost Tasmania’s tourism
potential and its contribution to the local economy.
"Tasmanian Tourist Parks has an association with 15 cabin, caravan and
camping parks and over 120 member properties, while Family Parks has more
than 45,000 members in its loyalty programme, with a marketing spread
covering Australia, New Zealand and the UK," he explained.
"This new partnership will make the Tasmanian Tourist/Family Parks network
the largest referral-based association in Tasmania."
The minister said caravan park guests had poured over $290m into
Tasmania's economy in 2012-2013, on average spending 17 days on the
island.
Those using their own caravans stayed an average of 35 days.
Mr Bacon said the government remained committed to getting visitors out of
the major centres and into regional Tasmania.
"In addition to its own destination marketing programs, Tourism Tasmania
continues to work closely with Caravanning Tasmania and the Caravan, RV
and Accommodation Industry of Australia to develop and market the state's
caravan and camping sector to identified target audiences," he said.
"Through our ongoing marketing efforts and our work with the regional
tourism organisations and groups like the caravan, camping, campervan and
mobile home sector, I hope we will see this turnaround continuing into
2014 and bringing more benefits to our regional communities and the
tourism businesses operating in them."
Family Parks general manager Karl Heyman said the new partnership was
"great news" for its members who could now explore Tasmania knowing they
would be in the familiar surroundings of a Family Park.
"I have visited all the parks and they are in excellent locations and
completely diverse," he said.
The partnership would instantly enable Tasmanian Tourist Parks to market
to 40,000 members throughout Australia and New Zealand by way of member
guides, newsletters, website, and also to the UK through the 400,000
Caravan Club members.
Family Parks has a close association with caravanners and campers who are
members of the Caravan Club UK, made possible through Mr Heyman's long
association with the club.
