A new Antarctic campaign is maximising Tasmania's significant economic potential as the gateway to the southern-most continent.
The Antarctic Gateway Campaign is an important part of the Government's 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future.
It aims to identify growth areas in the Tasmanian Antarctic sector, while targeting education, science, research, logistics supply, maritime services, and tourism and hospitality opportunities, as well as explore the connections of a century of Antarctic learnings and provisions to the evolving international Space sector.
Premier and Minister for Trade and Major Investment, Jeremy Rockliff said the campaign includes opportunities to promote the Antarctic Gateway to global audiences, as well as building relationships, partnerships, trade and investment opportunities with countries aligned to the Antarctic Treaty.
"The Antarctic Gateway Campaign was launched with Tasmanian representatives taking part in the State at the Council of Operators and Managers of National Antarctic Programs conference and to the Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research Open Science Conference," Premier Rockliff said.
"These visits provide valuable opportunities to promote the Antarctic Gateway to global audiences of scientists, logistics operators and Antarctic logistics providers, while representatives gained critical market intelligence on the requirements of Gateway users.
"While in Seattle, I strongly advocated for the US ice breaker, Polar Star and other US vessels, to visit Tasmania more frequently, and our Government will continue to target more international opportunities to grow this sector as part of the Antarctic Gateway Campaign.
"I am confident that promoting the accessibility of the Port of Hobart and the Hobart International Airport as key contributors to the Australian Antarctic Gateway infrastructure, will increase visitor attraction, grow trade through supply and deliver investment outcomes for the State.
Tasmania is at the forefront of Antarctic and Southern Ocean research, which plays such an important role for our economy, injecting directly $183 million into our State annually.
"Importantly, we are leading the way in Antarctic teaching and policy development," Premier Rockliff said.
"We continue to explore opportunities in this important sector – which employs about 1000 people - including ways to promote the Gateway to audiences across the world."
The Antarctic and Southern Ocean region plays such a critical role in the global ecosystem and every Tasmanian can be proud that our Gateway contributes in a meaningful way to global science and preservation.
