The Brumby Labor Government today announced the creation of a Regional Tourism Board for the Murray region and committed $180,000 to help fund its activities.
Speaking at a tourism roundtable in Mildura today, Tourism and Major Events Minister Tim Holding said the new Murray Regional Tourism Board would provide the Murray region with a united, strategic direction to managing tourism in the region as early as mid this year.
“The Brumby Labor Government continues to support tourism which is a vital economic driver for the Murray region, boosting economic activity and providing local jobs,” Mr Holding said.
“We want to see continued growth of a world-class tourism industry right along the Murray River and the creation of the Murray Regional Tourism Board is a significant step forward enabling the region to attract even more visitors from around Victoria, interstate and overseas.
“The new Board will build on the outstanding work of the Murray Region Campaign Committee in developing and promoting the tourism industry in this region.”
“The Board’s major focus will include marketing towns throughout the Murray Region, investment attraction, developing industry skills, product development and industry communication.
The Board will comprise eight representatives elected by the 17 councils which make up the Murray Region. The funding will help with the appointment of a full-time Chief Executive Officer and additional staff.
The Board will seek to develop new tourism prospects and build on the success of the Brumby Government’s The Murray River. Wind Down campaign.
The new Board delivers on a commitment set out in the Brumby Labor Government’s Regional Tourism Action Plan 2009-2012.
Mr Holding said the cooperative approach between Victorian and New South Wales tourism operators and local councils would provide better results for the tourism industry.
“The 17 councils along the Murray region on either side of the Victorian and New South Wales border have signed a formal ‘Statement of Intent’ which will see the biggest cooperation on tourism issues that this region has ever seen,” he said.
Mr Holding said the Mildura region recorded a three per cent increase in domestic overnight visitors for the year and a 25 per cent increase in domestic visitor nights.
“There is so much on offer in the Murray region, whether visitors are looking for time to relax, top-class food and wine, golf, history and heritage and of course the many water based attractions of the Murray River,” he said.