Tourism group supports Taste's late nights
Posted
The Tasmanian Tourism Industry Council has welcomed plans for new entertainment at the Taste of Tasmania festival in Hobart.
The Hobart City Council's considering holding cabaret, comedy and indigenous-themed nights until 1:00 am on the first three nights of the new year.
Hobart's waterfront hotels are concerned they will wear the blame for any anti-social behaviour stemming from adding late night entertainment to the festival.
The Hotels' Association's Steve Old says there are already enough problems on the waterfront.
"Now by the sounds of it the council's trying to add to it and I guess, drink, get people souped up till 1'clock and then send them back out for our members to deal with and we don't think it's on," Mr Old said.
But the Tourism Industry Council's Daniel Hanna says variety is necessary at the Taste to ensure tourists return.
"You can't rest on you laurels, you've got to keep looking at new things to attract people," Mr Hanna said.
He says the patrons the Taste attracts will not cause trouble.
