Premier David Bartlett today officially opened the $21 million Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific Seven Mile Beach calling the development another example of confidence in the Tasmanian economy.

“Tasmania was recently nominated by CommSec as the strongest economy in the nation. Tourism is part of our success story.

“This multi-million dollar investment by Wyndham resorts in Tasmania will open up our state to a whole new market of holiday owners.

“Evidence shows holiday ownership resorts attract people who tend to stay longer and explore more, which means a greater flow on to local businesses and injection into the economy,” Mr Bartlett said.

Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific is part of Wyndham Worldwide, and the largest vacation ownership company in Asia Pacific. Wyndham Vacation Ownership has 43 000 owners and 19 ownership resorts in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, and is part of a worldwide network of 145 resorts that service 800 000 owners in North America, the Caribbean and South Pacific.

The resort at Seven Mile Beach employs 35 Tasmanians. It has a total of 61 rooms, including 11 different room types. There is also a restaurant, bar, pool, outdoor spa, tennis court, playground, games room, gym, sauna and BBQ facilities.

“This is a development that reflects an authentic Tasmanian experience. Particularly welcome are the efforts that have gone into minimising the impact of the resort on the local environment,” Mr Bartlett said.

Inspired by the Wyndham Green initiative, an onsite horticulturalist has set up a program to restore the native habitat to the original ecosystem that would have characterised the site prior to colonial inhabitation.

“Tourism as an industry directly and indirectly supports about 11.2 per cent of Tasmania’s total employment which is nearly 3 per cent higher than the national average.

“Quality developments like this one at Seven Mile Beach will encourage even greater growth of this important sector.

“Since 2006 the State Government has boosted tourism funding by $32 million – this includes an additional $4 million announced recently.

“This Government has overseen a period of exceptional tourism growth.

“We will continue to support the tourism industry and build on the strong base that has been established under Labor,” Mr Bartlett said.