Press Release

RACT Group Chief Executive Greg Goodman said Premier David Bartlett must lobby his Federal colleagues in Canberra to bring about a quick resolution to the departure screening service shortfall at HobartInternationalAirport.

The RACT now understands that the operation of only one screening outlet has been the norm since around July 2009. Passengers departing Hobart since then have regularly experienced the sorts of waiting times at the security checkpoint, as recently reported by RACT Travelworld customers.

"It is unacceptable for people departing Hobart by air to have to put up with these delays. This is our capital city, the major hub for our tourist industry and having only one machine working at main departure times is scandalous. The Premier needs to talk urgently to the responsible Federal Minister, Anthony Albanese - and get it fixed," Mr Goodman said.

The Australian Government contracts out the departure screening service in Hobart to Qantas, who in turn sub-contract the service to a local security company. The RACT understands that under the terms of the contract, there are no customer service guarantees, KPIs, or service level agreements.

"Luckily, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd departed Hobart airport through the freight apron on Tuesday night - or no doubt the PM and his entourage would have experienced similar frustration."

Mr Goodman said he had written to Minister Albanese, urging him to find a quick solution.

"The Tourism 21* growth target by 2017 is to increase Tasmania's share of interstate trips in Australia from 4.2% to 6.5%.

"As Tourism 21 says: 'We want them [visitors] to talk about the highlights of their trip with friends and family and set the date for their next visit' ** - not lament the frustrating waiting time at Hobart airport!" Mr Goodman said.

"I also understand that some estimates have put the effect on visitor numbers of an operational Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) at an additional seven hundred visitors per day. Absolutely brilliant - but how will one screening machine cope with those extra departures?" he said.

"The RACT is calling on the Premier to act swiftly and get this fixed.  After all it is Tasmania that is copping the flak in the conversations across the aisles, as the planes leave the Hobart airport tarmac.

ENDS 

For further information: Greg Goodman Group Chief Executive 0419 122 061

References: * Tourism 21 Our Vision and Goals p7 (Increase target by 2017, based on 2007 levels.)                
** 6.8 Satisfying Our Customers p20
Tourism 21  http://www.tourismtasmania.com.au/publications/tourism_21  is the strategic business plan to improve the performance, competitiveness and structural efficiency of Tasmania's tourism industry.