The Federal and Victorian Governments recently announced further details of the $10 million Victorian Bushfire Tourism Industry Support Package, which is assisting regions affected by the February bushfires.
Federal Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson, said the Federal and Victorian Governments are working to ensure tourism remains strong in Victoria’s High Country, Gippsland, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, as well as the Goldfields, Grampians, Daylesford and Macedon Ranges.
“The assistance package, which began rolling out in March, is already working to deliver economic benefits to these communities and attract visitors back to this magnificent part of Australia,” he said. “The funding has supported a number of key events in the affected regions and assisted with marketing the regions internationally at the Australian Tourism Exchange in June.
“The Government recognises the significant economic contribution that tourism makes, particularly throughout regional Australia.”
Victorian Tourism and Major Events Minister, Tim Holding, said Victoria’s tourism industry has shown resilience in the aftermath of the terrible Black Saturday bushfires.
“Regions affected by the bushfire are reporting strong trade despite the bushfires and the added impact of the challenging global economic conditions,” he said.
“Victoria’s share of international visitors to Australia is at its highest level in 15 years, and visitor numbers and expenditure grew more than any other State over the past year.”
The Victorian Bushfire Tourism Industry Support Package provides:
- $3 million for infrastructure projects in affected regions, such as
upgrading visitor facilities at picnic grounds and the development
of walking tracks - $2.2 million for the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges marketing
to support recovery events over busy tourism periods, as well as
interstate TV, cinema and print advertising - various funding to support marketing of key events and icons, as
well as profiles of individual regions to key international
markets - $1 million for events to directly fund and profile more than 30
events around Victoria and to encourage businesses to hold
meetings and conferences in fire affected areas• $50,000 to encourage school and other groups to continue to use
Victoria’s great outdoors - $30,000 for an ‘animated’ fly through of the Australian Alps
National Landscape, combining 3D views of the landscape with
supplementary photography, animations and other tourism
information for use as a marketing and promotion tool.
“This funding is helping the regions to overcome the impact of the bushfires and to rebuild their strong tourism industries,” Tim Holding said. “Local tourism operators have been consulted closely.
“By spending tourist dollars in these communities, we are helping to protect jobs and support local economies.
“Spring is a fantastic time of year for regional Victoria and there are so many activities, festivals and attractions on offer to encourage visitors to the bushfire affected regions.”
Funding will continue to be provided under the package until June 2011.
For further information visit www.disasterassist.gov.au
