More than 160 global, Australian and Tasmanian tourism operators, nature based experience providers and outdoor adventurers have signed an open letter to Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein, The Hon S. Courtney (Minister for Tourism) and the Hon R.Jaensch (Minister for Climate Change) calling for the protection of Tasmania's native forests to safeguard our nature based tourism sector and Brand Tasmania, and take practical action on climate change and biodiversity loss. 
Signatories including Patagonia, Spring Bay Mill. Derby Mountain Bike (MTB) businesses, and Derwent Valley Tasmania Tourism (representing over 100 businesses), have put their brands behind the need for urgent action to stop the logging of Tasmania’s native forests. With a focus on the imminent logging planned in the two Krushka’s and Atlas forests around the iconic Blue Derby MTB trail network, recognised as the jewel in the crown of Tasmania’s MTB industry. 

Blue Derby Wild coordinator Louise Morris said, ‘’we’ve been overwhelmed with support from businesses and outdoors adventurers who understand the importance of protecting Tasmania’s native forests for our growing nature based tourism sector, and the critical role they play in tackling climate change and biodiversity loss. The vision for Tasmania is to be carbon-neutral in keeping with the Tasmanian Government Climate Action 21 agenda. Immediate and practical actions including protecting the Blue Tier glacial refugia forests and removing the three Blue Derby Gondwana native forests of Krushka’s (CC105A and CC119A) and Atlas (CC120B) from logging and burning plans will help achieve this.”

‘’There's no doubt Tasmanian's accessible wilderness areas and our nature-based attractions are our state's biggest tourism drawcard (TRA 2014). As operators we've witnessed first-hand how extremely vulnerable the Tasmanian tourism industry is to the current challenges of the pandemic and the impacts of the intense 2016, 2019 bushfires that swept through Tasmania burning over 100,000 hectares of World Wilderness Heritage Area combined. Protecting our native forests will protect the Tasmanian brand, retain carbon, stop carbon emissions from logging and burning and protect biodiversity in the region. This will also be a practical step towards meeting our ambitious tourism target; to establish Tasmania as a global leader in responsible and sustainable tourism and to become a carbon-neutral destination. If we’re going to reach this goal we need to take action today,’’ said Fiona Weaver, Tassie Bound Adventure Tours

“To think logging of native forests goes unnoticed by visitors to Tasmania and that this outdated practice doesn’t damage our growing brand is something the current government needs to have a good hard look at. Once a brand is damaged it can be hard to repair. Not to mention that preserving these forests will have huge benefits for endangered wildlife habitat, carbon storage and providing clean air and water that benefit us all. I believe Tasmania is nearing a time where we transition from destructive industries and become a leader in sustainability. Ending logging in high conservation forests is a no-brainer, I hope the Gutwein government has the foresight to show real leadership on this matter,” said Kenna Reid-Clark, Vice-president of the Tasmanian Wilderness Guides Association.

 
The Tassie Tourism and events sector has been hit hard over the last two years. We have huge potential to value the pristine and wild Tassie brand to delight customers coming into the state. Protecting and celebrating our natural values alongside the tourism attractions is crucial to make sure we put our money where our mouth is. Customers and visitors will be savvy to the environmental impact of our industries and are expecting us to value protected environments and ecosystems. We call on the state government to work smartly to consider the huge blossoming potential these special places hold for the rebound of the tourism sector and the long term sustainability of our clean green state,”said Joe Pickett, General Manager, Spring Bay Mill

‘Protecting the carbon dense forests of the iconic Blue Derby MTB tourism destination area has the immediate impact of stopping the carbon emissions associated with logging and burning native forests, protecting local biodiversity and our forests will help safeguard the Blue Derby brand which is the jewel in the crown of Tasmania’s MTB industry.’’ Julia Seymour, Owner, Pinned Property Management, Derby.