A vision for tourism in Daylesford and Hepburn Springs for the next decade is being developed into a ten year plan known as ‘Destination Daylesford’. Located in Hepburn Shire in central Victoria, the Daylesford/Hepburn Springs township is known as the ‘spa capital of Australia’.
Just one hour from Melbourne, the Shire is renowned for its special environment and relaxation weekends, with the added benefit of spectacular heritage buildings, parks, reserves and native forests.
In November, the Victorian Government announced funding of $50,000 for the strategic tourism plan, which is a joint project between Tourism Victoria, Hepburn Shire Council, the Hepburn Region Tourism Association, Daylesford Macedon Ranges Campaign Committee, local tourism operators and the community.
It will address a number of key issues for a sustainable, longterm view on destination development for the Daylesford and Hepburn Springs region to benefit businesses and the community.
A local steering committee will work with consultants from the Australian Regional Tourism Research Centre (ARTRC).
They will prepare the ten year strategic Destination Plan and a three year Action Plan for Daylesford, Hepburn Springs and the district.
Destination Daylesford Committee Chairperson, Frank Page, said the ARTRC team will provide substantial regional tourism expertise and professional rigour to the project.
“ARTRC has experience in economic and tourism planning, sustainable destination development, management and marketing, tourism research analysis, Local Government involvement in tourism, and community consultation,” he said.
Destination Daylesford Plan Project Coordinator, Dr Meredith Lawrence, said ARTRC’s approach to tourism planning was based on developing a strategic vision for tourism that combined understandings of the past, current and future circumstances and considered key areas of sustainability.
“Careful consideration will be given to the community consultation process to ensure engagement and communication with local communities and interested stakeholders in the tourism planning process,” she said.
The Destination Daylesford team will also use the findings of a three year Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre project to inform the development of the plan.
The project uses Daylesford as a case study and examines best practice for the development, marketing and management of regional tourism destinations in Australia.
For further information contact Frank Page on 0417 010 817.
