Victoria will spend $200,000 to assist with marketing and promotion of Gippsland and two of the state’s major touring routes.
The new funding consists of $145,000 for Gippsland, $30,000 for the Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Drive and $25,000 for the Great Alpine Road.
The funding package was announced during the launch of the East Gippsland Official Visitor Guide, which features the tagline of ‘paradise found’ and highlights the region’s natural attractions and quality food and wine experiences.
Victorian Tourism Minister John Pandazopoulos said the funding would help encourage international and interstate visitors to visit regional Victoria.
“When you take into account Mallacoota, the Croajingalong National Park, the Gippsland Lakes, Buchan Caves Reserve and the Twin Rivers, visitors have so much to see and do in East Gippsland,” he said.
“Touring routes like the Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Drive and the Great Alpine Road make use of our excellent road network and appeal to visitors from the United Kingdom, Europe and North America.”
Mr Pandazapoulos said that in the period 2000-2006, international visitor numbers to regional Victoria had increased by an average of three percent each year.
