More than 90 retail travel agents from Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia, experienced the new Bass Strait vessels Spirit of Tasmania I and II on the weekend.

TT-Line National Manager Passengers Sales and Marketing Ms Melindy Green said the familiarisation was the largest educational ever undertaken onboard a Bass Strait vessel.

�The response to date from agents has been outstanding, not only in the large number who travelled with us on the weekend but also in their feedback of the vessels,� she said.

�This sort of program is important as it exposes agents to Tasmania and also introduces them to sea travel as a viable alternative to air travel.�

Ms Green said the three Tasmanian regional tourism associations provided excellent support to ensure that these potential ambassadors for Tasmania experienced the breadth of the State.

Ms Green said the familiarisation was a key part of the company�s Spirit of Tasmania I and II marketing campaign, which is designed to build awareness and support for the new ships.

�Accredited agents were able to choose from six itinaries which sampled the very best the State has to offer,� she said.

�Selling Tasmania to potential tourists is so much easier when an agent has experienced some of the attractions for themselves.�

Ms Green said spring and summer is a time when many travellers prefer to visit Tasmania.

Earlier this month Spirit of Tasmania announced that bookings for the new vessels were well ahead compared to the same time last year.

Furthermore additional daylight sailings have provided capacity for an additional 20,000 passengers to travel across Bass Strait.

For further information contact: Ms Simone Ferrier Manager Corporate Communications Tel: 03 9206 6220/0417 540 583