In short:

As the fallout over the delays to the arrival of the new larger Spirit of Tasmania ferries rolls on, Tasmania's government and tourism body has welcomed the start of direct flights to New Zealand as a much-needed boost to the sector.

Meanwhile, a caravan park operator says the ferry company must do more to bring tourists to and from the island state, pointing to his Huon Valley business's poor showing this past weekend as an indicator of how far trade has fallen compared to years gone by.

A Tasmanian tourism operator has blasted the ongoing Spirit of Tasmania saga for a downturn in business at his southern caravan park — and called for a doubling of Bass Strait voyages to help the state's economy.

The call comes as the Tasmanian government welcomed the return of international flights to Hobart by Air New Zealand, saying the development would "boost visitor numbers and help keep Tasmania's tourism and hospitality sector strong".

Business, tourism groups savage Liberals over Spirits fiasco

 

Photo shows Three men in high vis and hard hats talk to the media

Speaking alongside state Opposition Leader Dean Winter on Sunday, Huon Valley Caravan Park co-owner Rowen Carter said the delayed arrival of the two new, larger-capacity Spirit of Tasmania ferries highlighted management issues affecting the Bass Strait service.

"I'm so glad that the debcale with … the new Spirits has brought this issue up, because it has been coming up for years and years," Mr Carter said.

"When I was chairman of Caravanning Tasmania, we tried to get information off [Spirit of Tasmania operator TT-Line] and they wouldn't tell you how many [caravanners] are coming [or] what their forward bookings are looking like."

Travellers reporting difficulties booking Spirit of Tasmania

 

Photo shows Smoke emerges from the top of a large white and red cruise ship at night with lights reflected in water below.

Travellers and businesses hoping to secure a spot for large vehicles on the Spirit of Tasmania are facing months-long wait times.

The two new ferries will have more space for vehicles, and, unlike the current ships, all lanes will be tall enough for caravans and campervans.

But the new ferries won't be in service until 2027 because they require upgrades to the Devonport port, which have been delayed.

It's been estimated for every year the rollout of the new Spirits is delayed, the Tasmanian economy loses $350 million in revenue.

Mr Carter pointed to the months-long wait times travellers were facing and called for a doubling of voyages.

"They have the capacity there, they only need to run it more. And if they increase capacity and run these Spirits more often, tourism will be better."

Mr Carter said tourists having to wait extended periods to travel to or from the island state was "destroying our reputation".

Mr Carter said for the last weekend of October in 2018, his park hosted 75 vans. This weekend just gone, he said his park had 24 vans, a result he described as "dismal".

"People can't get on and off the island when they want to. [TT-Line] need to … decide whether they're a freight company or a tourist company," Mr Carter said.

"Some of the horror stories we've heard within the caravan park [community] of mainlanders trying to get back on the boat or extend their stay for a few weeks … it's horrific."

New Spirit of Tasmania ferries to be secondhand by the time they arrive

 

Photo shows A render of a ship's cabin with large rectangular porthole, beige couch and dog bed.

Opposition Leader Dean Winter said state-owned TT-Line "needs to get more people on the Spirits, more freight off the island by adding more day sailings". 

"You've got people who have bought businesses, built businesses and invested in businesses because they expected the new Spirits to be available. They need to be supported.

"This is not about profit and loss for TT-Line, it's about profit and loss for our tourism industry, which is screaming for help." 

Transport Minister Eric Abetz said TT-Line "[looked] at the demand, and depending on the demand, they do the extra day sailing".

"That happens each and every year, and when and as required. And we, of course, will be encouraging TT-Line to ensure that if there is the demand, if it is worthwhile, that we have those extra sailings," Mr Abetz said.

Last week the government announced $26.5 million in measures to try to support the tourism sector, including $6 million in subsidised passenger fares, and to allow for additional Spirit day sailings, along with funds for increased aviation capacity, and a $5 million "Spirit Preparedness Fund".

Direct flights to and from NZ welcomed

In a press conference at Hobart airport, Amy Hills, chief executive of the Tourism Council of Tasmania, said the announcement of direct flights from Auckland to Hobart starting again was "a fantastic day for Tasmania and tourism".

"The fact that Air New Zealand sees real demand in our market and has the confidence to bring back these flights … is really a boost in the arm for our tourism industry here in Tassie," Ms Hills said.

In a statement, Premier Jeremy Rockliff said international visitors "injected $505 million into Tasmania in the last financial year, showing just how important this market is for our state".

Mr Abetz said the flights would "create job and employment opportunities and wealth, which is exactly what we want to see happening in our state".

He criticised Mr Winter for what he described as "concentrating on the negative" regarding the Spirit of Tasmania issues.

"We are concentrating on the positive and boosting our tourism sector. The important thing to remember is it's business as usual.

"Our two Spirits are still flying across Bass Strait each and every day, delivering the tourism market to Tasmania," Mr Abetz said.

"It is a matter of great regret that the port in Devonport was not built in a timely fashion, as it should have been. The good news is it is now happening.