According to a report on ABC news, a Victorian-based company says Tourism Tasmania is failing to help businesses.

Advance Tourism has paid for a newspaper ad contradicting Government reports that tourism numbers are growing.  The company says it's conducted surveys that show a decline in visitor numbers.

Advance Tourism director Norm White says Tourism Tasmania needs to be held more accountable.

"They're spending millions of dollars every year to reinforce their position as the Government controlling the industry and if you look at their latest strategic plans 2010-13, there's nothing in there about actually helping the private sector get over its economics problems," he said.

Editors Comments: I know Tasmania is only a small part of the overall picture of tourism in Australia but surely the question posed by Advance Tourism should apply to all government funded tourism bodies shouldn't it?  Instead of funding being monitored by where it is spent shouldn't it be measured by what results it achieves and that includes involvement from the private sectors to help achieve the mutual goals.  What do you think?