Yesterday's announcement that Tourism Tasmania will only spend $800,000 out of a $10 million marketing and promotions budget on a new campaign raises the question - how will we attract people to the state if we aren't spending the money?

It is no secret that the tourism industry is facing significant challenges, and as we enter the traditionally slow winter period, we must ensure that every effort is made to get people to the state.

But instead, we are seeing Labor and the Greens ripping funding from tourism marketing while our major competitors - other Australian states - are ramping up their efforts.

The Government's recent performance in marketing the state and our important tourism industry have been woeful, and as a result, the state is suffering.

Rookie Tourism Minister Scott Bacon must explain how through reduced marketing he will deliver results for tourism operators.

A Hodgman majority Government will work with industry to capitalize on the potential of Tasmania's tourism industry and set a target of seeing 1.5 million visitors coming into Tasmania each year by 2020.

It is now up to Labor and the Greens to say how they will bring visitors to the state without spending the money.