Tasmania finds tourists love surprise encounters with native animals

The spontaneous sighting of wildlife in Tasmania’s natural environment is a treasured moment, so Tas. is planning to develop encounters such as, devils feeding, penguins and seal colonies. The approach taken in the new Tasmanian Wildlife Tourism Strategy is that taking small groups to see animals in their natural environment is a lot more sustainable than large scale wildlife viewing.

Research has shown people wanting to view wildlife ‘demand’ more than a simple static setting. Existing wildlife tour and park operators will be encouraged to broaden their thinking…to look at how Tasmania can showcase its native animals.

Work on the strategy started 12 months ago, guided by consultants Inspiring Place P/L and representatives of the wildlife tourism industry, Tourism Council Tasmania, Tourism Tasmania, the Parks and Wildlife Service, the University of Tasmania, Forestry Tasmania, the Department of Primary Industries, Water and the Environment’s Nature conservation Branch and the Tasmanian Conservation Trust.