Tasmanian Craft Fair weaving together economic benefits

Not only will this year’s Tasmanian Craft Fair be the biggest craft fair in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s shaping up to be a massive economic boost for the whole State.

Tasmanian Craft Fair Director, Michael Plunkett, said this year’s edition is expected to pump more than $3 million into the local economy.

“We have people from all over the country coming to take part with more than 240 exhibitors and vendors on their way to Deloraine, which for three days between the 1st and 3rd of November becomes the craft capital of Australia.

The Fair has become a huge opportunity for hundreds of mainly Tasmanian businesses to showcase the state to locals and visitors. With businesses across town also joining in, it’s a huge boost to the region. It’s not just about the sales over the weekend, many artisans attract enough orders to keep them busy for a couple of years.”

Visit Northern Tasmania CEO, Tracey Mallett said it was important to the entire northern visitor economy.

“The benefits spread way beyond just the hundreds of craft businesses on display,” Ms Mallett said.

“Around 15 to 20 per cent of attendees travel to Deloraine from interstate and overseas. It’s one of the biggest events on the calendar.

“Importantly, many of the visitors see the Tasmanian Craft Fair as a great reason to spend a week or more in the state, which means that every corner of Tasmania benefits. It’s a win-win for our talented craftspeople as well as our tourism and hospitality businesses that are the lifeblood or regional Tasmanian communities.”

The CEO of the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Michael Bailey, said that the Tasmanian Craft Fair was a huge event for Tasmanian small businesses.

“The Tasmanian Craft Fair helps to put Tasmanian small businesses on the map,” Mr Bailey said.

“It’s a real showcase for what makes Tasmania so special and is such a unique event for small businesses to tap into. For many Tasmanian businesses this is the biggest event of the year. With Christmas just around the corner it’s a great opportunity for Tasmanians and visitors to shop local and support Tasmanian businesses.”

“Not only do craftspeople benefit, so do local businesses right across the north of the state.”

Profits from the event fund ongoing community projects for the Rotary Club of Deloraine.