A NEW state government strategy will aim to help increase tourism and visitor spending across the Grampians and Ararat.
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Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren announced the plan at the Victoria Tourism Conference in Bendigo.
It aims for a clear direction for Visit Victoria, a new body responsible for keeping the state at the front of tourism in Australia.
Ararat Rural City Mayor Paul Hooper said council already had a strong relationship with the federal and state governments to help grow tourism.
“To put it in perspective, the Grampians Peak Trail is an example where the state and federal governments have spent $30 million to build this magnificent asset that is currently under construction,” he said.
“That has the potential to bring in 80,000 international visitors per year.”
But Cr Hooper also said increasing private sector investment would help grow tourism in the region.
“At the end of the day we need private sector investment in Ararat and the area,” he said.
“In terms of accommodation, food and additional activities, I’d like to see a lot more.
“I am hoping in time with better public transport timetabling, highway duplication and the town bypass, Ararat is positioned really well to attract people into the area and investment that doesn’t currently exist.”
The government’s plan will focus on several areas including;
- Private sector investment
- Regional and rural campaigns
- Improved branding and marketing
- Improved experiences
- Better tourism infrastructure
- Improved access into Victoria
- A skilled a capable sector
- Effective coordination.
Mr Eren said the visitor economy is one of the state’s great strengths.
“We do it so well, but we want to get better, because it means jobs and economic growth,” he said.
“The Victorian Visitor Economy Strategy is our blueprint to grow the sector over the next decade.
“We’ve got ambitious goals, and this is how we achieve them.
“The experience we offer our visitors is the reason we’ve continued to thrive in a challenging economic environment, but we’ll never be complacent.”
Cr Hooper said there were areas other than the Grampians where tourism opportunities could be found for Ararat.
“For us we think Mount Cole has some great possibilities to grow new tourism options,” he said.
“We are working on mountain bike trails as a different market than what council has been in before.”