Tourism North East – Activity Update
There is no business, community or individual in our beautiful region that has not been impacted by the recent and ongoing bushfires in some way.
Since the fires started Tourism North East has been working closely with industry, stakeholders and relevant government agencies on response, recovery and advocacy for our hard-hit region.
We thought it timely with the immediate threat of fires subsiding, and our focus turning solidly to recovery, that we give you a snapshot of what activity has been, or is being, undertaken on behalf of each and every tourism business in our beautiful region.
Some of the recent highlights include:
- $200,00 funding to support free ATDW listings
- Two live crosses on national TV with the ‘Today’ in region featuring local business
- Extensive free media across the state and nation, promoting High Country destinations and product
- High profile exposure in Visit Victoria’s $2 million ‘A Little Goes a Long Way’ campaign
- Click here (PDF) for a snap-shot of activity underway on behalf of North East tourism businesses
‘Comeback’ opportunities for operators
We have been overwhelmed by the support shown by the wider community, which includes the following business opportunities for High Country tourism operators.
St Kilda – free of charge retail space for ‘pop-up’ High Country businesses:
The City of Port Phillip is offering complimentary vacant retail space on Fitzroy Street, St Kilda on a short-term basis to retail businesses in bushfire affected regions. An Expression of Interest program is open until Wednesday 5 February, 12pm. There are currently two spaces available, one suitable for a collaboration of retailers in a market, pop-up style, and the other suitable for businesses that sell farmgate products such as cheese or wine. Go to find out more www.vtic.com.au/eoistkilda/
Business Events Victoria – regional pledge
Through a Victorian Government initiative, more than 115 business, sport and government agencies have pledged to hold their next meeting, event or conference in East Gippsland or North East Victoria in the next six months.
We are working closely with Business Events Victoria to ensure our North East businesses are well represented and have already had two enquiries since the program launched earlier in the week, with more in the pipeline.
If your venue is suitable for business events and you would like to be included in the Tourism North East Business Events database, please email [email protected].
Regional Event Victoria – recovery funding
A special booster fund for regional events in bushfire impacted zones has been announced by the Minister for Tourism, Martin Pakula, with up to $20,000 available per event. Visit Victoria will manage the program and applications will open this month, with a fast-tracked application process. We are following up with Visit Victoria for further detail and will let you know when it opens.
