Discover Tasmania

A $16 MILLION tourism marketing plan funded from the 2006 sale of the Spirit of Tasmania III has delivered huge benefits to Tasmania, according to Tourism Minister Michelle O'Byrne.

The tourism industry believes the $16 million marketing campaign is still having an impact on tourist numbers into the state, due to a "lag effect".

With the money from the sale now spent, Ms O'Byrne said $4 million allocated to tourism marketing in October last year - in the wake of industry calls for more marketing funding - would also benefit tourism operators around the state.

"This report has allowed us to see that by making the decision we did with the Spirit of Tasmania III and investing in tourism product at a time when every other state was pulling away, we have been able to position Tasmania well," Ms O'Byrne said.

"We are now achieving at great levels at a time when almost every other state is either struggling or is in serious trouble." Projects to benefit from the $16 million included Launceston's Cataract Gorge, which received improved signage, the Cherry Shed at Latrobe and the Tarkine Wilderness Historic Hotel at Corinna.

Ms O'Byrne said there had been a move away from spring and autumn campaigns.

The budgeted $4 million now set aside for spruiking Tasmania would be used to market the state "all year round".

By LUKE SCOTT. Picture GEOFF ROBSON