The Tourism Minister Paula Wriedt says a lack of visitors to Maria Island is to blame for the failure of a monopoly ferry service from the Tasmanian mainland.
The Maria Island Company was granted an exclusive contract to ferry visitors to the island in late 2005, but halted its service in August.
Multiple companies have again started serving the route.
Ms Wriedt says the single-operator model, using a larger ferry, failed because there has been no visitor growth.
"They're not going there in increasing numbers, despite the extra marketing and promotion," Ms Wriedt said.
"So it has meant unfortunately that particularly during that quieter month when not as many people choose to visit the island, it has made it very difficult for one operator. © 2007 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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