$465 million Victorian tourism recovery package to help the sector bounce back
Victorians will receive $200 to book accommodation, attractions or tours in regional Victoria under a move to restart the state’s stalled tourism economy. But there’s some conditions.
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Victorians will receive $200 to book accommodation, attractions or tours in regional Victoria under a move to restart the state’s stalled tourism economy.
Access to the program expected to start in December, and hand out up to 120,000 vouchers, will be contingent on Victorians going to regional areas and spending $400 on accommodation, attractions or tours.
Tourism Greater Geelong and the Bellarine executive director Brett Ince said the $400 minimum spend to access the subsidy matched the average accommodation spend during December and January in the region.
“It does provide some good stimulus to try and entice Melburnians out into regional Victoria, especially to Greater Geelong and the Bellarine,” Mr Ince said.
“Geelong and the Bellarine is a strong events destination, both business and major events, so we welcome the announcement to try and offset some losses that we will see not having those events over (December and January).
“We are trying to encourage visitors to embrace the space we have. We’ve got some amazing precincts like the Paper Mills at Fyansford, the Federal Mills, the nature of the You Yangs but also the coastal villages of the Bellarine.”
Also part of the state government’s tourism spend is $150m to fund nature-based, First Nations, arts and culture, and food and wine tourism projects; $58m to boost marketing at Visit Victoria; $2m to build more Surf Coast campsites; $20m to support major events outside Melbourne and $28m for the regional tourism subsidy program.
Business and Tourism Anglesea Association president Damien Cerantonio said the subsidy was welcome relief for a sector that suffered major losses throughout the year, and would encourage holiday-makers and day-trippers to spend more.
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“I would like to see the program be available from February,” he said, adding that his business, the Great Ocean Road Resort, is almost booked out for November, December and January.
He called for the program’s start date to be pushed back so the tail of the lucrative summer period could be extended towards Easter.
“We don’t want everybody that’s looking to go for a holiday to come over the six-week period over Christmas,” he said. “We just don’t have capacity.”
Premier Daniel Andrews said the money would help tourism businesses bounce back from the challenges of this year.
“Whether it’s a daytrip with the family or a tour along our stunning coast, we’re helping more people get out and enjoy the best Victoria has to offer.”
Regional Development Minister Jaclyn Symes said: “We’re committed to regional Victoria and the jobs that tourism brings to our state.”
Tourism funding has also been set aside for Gippsland, the Grampians, Ballarat, Wilsons Promontory and Halls Gap among other areas.
Originally published as $465 million Victorian tourism recovery package to help the sector bounce back
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