The Australian and Victorian Governments met with tourism operators and representatives in Narbethong today to outline the final details of the $10 million Victorian Bushfire Tourism Industry Support Package.
The Australian Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, and the Victorian Tourism and Major Events Minister, Tim Holding, outlined the joint government support for tourism in the badly affected Mitchell and Murrindindi shires and support for events in other bushfire affected areas.
“We are pleased to provide the final details of the package which includes $525,000 in funding for the Murrindindi and Mitchell Shires and $320,000 in funding for 23 significant events in Gippsland, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges and Victoria’s High Country,” Minister Holding said.
“Since March last year this package has been helping to secure the economies of communities affected by the February 2009 bushfires and protect the thousands of jobs generated by tourism and events in these regions.
“Already, events funded by the $10 million package are attracting visitors to these stunning parts of Australia. Regional events in 2010 and 2011, including the La Dolce Vita, Grape Grazing and Harvest of Gippsland, are sure to continue this trend,” Mr Holding said.
Minister Ferguson said: “The Australian Government has been pleased to provide more than $455 million to the recovery and re-building effort and this significant contribution to the tourism sector recognises the industry’s importance across these fire-affected regions.
“The Victorian tourism industry has shown remarkable resilience throughout 2009, despite the bushfires and last year’s challenging economic climate but it is essential we remain diligent in assisting its ongoing recovery.”.
The $525,000 for the Murrindindi and Mitchell shires will be allocated to the following marketing activities taking place until June 2011:
- $170,000 for event support and marketing including the Marysville Marathon, and support for the key towns of Yea, Alexandra, Marysville and Lake Mountain
- $60,000 for updating marketing collateral such as brochures and maps
- $85,000 for upgrading existing websites and producing new marketing tools and village videos
- $100,000 for ongoing public relations support including the generation of travel media coverage
- $30,000 for updating photography of the region after the bushfires
- $70,000 for cooperative advertising and marketing coordination support for the broader Murrindindi/Mitchell area
- $10,000 for marketing initiatives within the Yarra Valley/High Country Touring Route to encourage visitation to bushfire affected towns and villages.
The $320,000 will be allocated to marketing activities and the following events in 2010 and 2011:
Gippsland
$12,500, Palate of Passions, Autumn 2010/2011, Mt Baw Baw
$8,000, Harvest of Gippsland, Autumn 2010/2011, Warragul
$7,500, Hot Sauce and Fiery Food Festival, Autumn 2010/2011, Jindivick
$3,500, Firing the Coals at the Creek, Autumn 2010/2011, Coal Creek
$3,500, Inverloch Food and Wine Festival, Autumn 2010/2011, Inverloch
$5,000, Boolarra Folk Festival, May 2011, Boolarra
$4,000, Moe Jazz Festival, May 2011, Moe
$3,000, Ficifolia Festival, May 2011, Drouin
$2,500, Music for the People, May 2011, Leongatha
$2,500, Raw Vibes Music Festival, May 2011, Leongatha
$2,000, Shakespeare in the Vines, May 2011, Warragul
$1,000, Meeniyan Carnivale, May 2011, Meeniyan
$1,500, Mirboo North Arts Gras, May 2011, Mirboo
$1,000, Walhalla Black Cat Ghost Tour, May 2011, Walhalla
$2,500, Mossvale Park Music Festival, May 2011, Berrys Creek, South Gippsland
Yarra Valley
$15,000, Grape Grazing, March 2011, various locations
$15,000, Melba Festival, September 2010, various locations
High Country
$10,000, Audax Alpine Challenge, January 2010, Bright
$10,000, Opera in the Alps, January 2010, Beechworth
$10,000, La Dolce Vita, November 2010, King Valley
$10,000, Tastes of Rutherglen, March 2010, Rutherglen
$10,000, Bike Buller MTB Festival, March 2010, Mt Buller.
Minister Holding today also launched the Open for Business: Crisis Management for Tourism Businesses online tool.
“This practical resource is another way that we are ensuring that tourism operators are better equipped to prepare for, respond to and recover from crises such as bushfire, drought and floods,” Mr Holding said.
“We want to arm tourism operators and visitors with the information they require to actively respond when they need it.
“The Australian and Victorian Governments are taking action to make sure that tourism in Victoria’s regional areas remains strong,” he said.
Mr Holding said experience from previous bushfires in Victoria and other natural disasters shows the value of supporting tourism operators in responding and recovering from these events.
“At this time of year regional Victoria is brimming with activities, festivals and attractions that offer visitors a diverse range of experiences and we are encouraging people to visit these stunning areas,” Mr Holding said.
For more information about activities and events right across Victoria, please visit www.visitvictoria.com or to view the Open for Business: Crisis Management for Tourism Businesses online tool go to www.tourismvictoria.com.au