Gippsland › Latest news › Peter Walsh MP
Regional Tourism Fund to Kickstart Regional Business and Local Economies
Bold steps needed now to restore Victoria’s tourism sector, our regional tourism businesses to recover.
Regional communities have been hit hard by drought, bushfire and now the coronavirus pandemic.
Travel bans put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 meant visitation to country Victoria was smashed overnight.
If we do not take bold steps now to restore Victoria’s tourism sector, our regional tourism businesses – which employ an estimated 86,000 Victorians – will never recover.
The Liberal Nationals are calling for a dedicated $200 million Regional Tourism Fund to be immediately established by the Andrews Labor Government to support our country communities and bring visitors back to regional Victoria.
With an aim to return the tourism sector to June 2019 bed night accommodation levels by June 2021, this Fund should provide targeted support to tourism in different regions to:
- assist operators to get back on their feet,
- promote Victorian tourism destinations, and
- upgrade tourism related infrastructure.
The call is part of the Liberal Nationals’ plan to get Victorians back to work and back in business.
Last year the Andrews Government spent more than $100 million on self-promotional advertising, such as its multi-million dollar ‘Big Build’ campaign. All Andrews Government self-promotional advertising must be immediately scrapped and redirected into promoting regional Victorian tourism.
The Andrews Government should also complete projects including the Grampians Peaks Trail, reopen the iconic Mt Buffalo chalet and upgrade nature-based facilities to get people back to bushfire-impacted north-east Victoria and Gippsland.
Comment attributable to Leader of the Opposition, Michael O’Brien:
"With restrictions being eased, now is the time to take bold action to restore confidence and jobs to our regional economies.
"I am proposing a $200 million Regional Tourism Fund to encourage visitors to come to country Victorian communities and help businesses get back on their feet."
Comment attributable to Leader of The Nationals, Peter Walsh:
"Our country communities and small businesses have been hit hard by drought, bushfires, and now the coronavirus pandemic.
"Tens-of-thousands of regional Victorians who rely on their jobs in the tourism sector to pay the bills and put food on the table are counting on the Andrews Government to get them back to work and back in business."
Source: www.gippsland.com
Published by: support@gippsland.com
Latest News
Bass Coast Shire Council draft 2024/25 Budget ready for community input prioritising $25M for climate-focused projectsCommunity feedback wanted on Wellington Shire Council draft 2024/25 budget by 6 May 2024
East Gippsland Shire Council starts remediation of Bastion Point groyne rock wall to address its deterioration
Photo contest winners from West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority showcase regional waterway beauty
Wellington Renewable Energy Impact Study prioritises community input in renewable energy decisions and transition
East Gippsland Shire Council makes the expanded mobile library service permanent following successful trial
Search for new East Gippsland Water Managing Director as as Steve McKenzie East not to do another term after navigating bushfires and pandemic
Community feedback wanted on Latrobe City Council draft 2024/2025 Budget by 6 May 2024
Latrobe City kindergarten enrolments for 2025 will open on 1 May 2024 with open day on 7 May 2024
Tim Bull urges increased roads and health funding from horror Budget from wasteful Allen Labor government