Support needed for local tourism

“Latest figures show tourism is worth over $72 million to the Mitchell Shire area a year, with around 626 000 visitors supporting over 600 jobs,” she said.

“Restaurants, cafes, wineries, accommodation providers and retailers across Mitchell Shire have been hit hard by the travel restrictions implemented because of coronavirus.”

Ms Ryan said the Victorian Government should provide targeted support to bring visitors back to the region.

“A dedicated tourism fund would help operators get back on their feet, promote our region as a destination of choice and upgrade tourism-related infrastructure,” she said.

“Major events which have been cancelled or postponed like Go Fish Nagambie and the Seymour Working Dog Trials bring people to our region each year who help drive retail trade by buying local goods, visiting cafes and restaurants and staying overnight.

“Hours upon hours of planning go into organising events each year, often by volunteer committees supported by the generous sponsorship of local businesses.

“It’s going to be incredibly difficult for business to sponsor these events in the same way after sustaining the losses they have from the brutal restrictions we have faced. The government needs to make sure these events are supported so they come back bigger and better than ever.

“A $200 million fund dedicated to regional tourism would give local businesses, wineries and tourism operators an opportunity to get together and put up the best ideas to help get people back to the region.

“A $200 million regional tourism fund is not a big ask, given the Andrews Government has just borrowed an eye-watering $24.5 billion to respond to the coronavirus and is spending $100 million on self-promotional advertising which could be redirected into promoting regional tourism.”