One of Destination Gippsland’s roles is to advocate to government on the importance of the visitor economy to our region.  We communicate the value of the tourism expenditure (an estimated $1.2b in Gross Regional Product), the jobs it creates (12,400) and the businesses that it supports (over 3,000).

Tourism in Gippsland is everyone’s business.  A good way for you to help the case for tourism funding, policy change and recognition for our industry is to engage with the upcoming Gippsland Regional Assembly. 

See the item in this newsletter about how you can contribute ideas, potential projects and opportunities on behalf of the Gippsland tourism sector.  The first step is to go to the www.engage.vic.gov.au/regions and participate in the conversation.

Kind regards, Terry Robinson - CEO Destination Gippsland 

Destination Gippsland invites you to participate in ongoing marketing opportunities to promote your  business through strong partnerships.

To read more about the opportunities download the Destination Gippsland Marketing Partnership Guide.

The Business Events and International Partnership program will commence in November, businesses who have already indicated interest will be contacted directly.  If you’d like to discuss either of these programs or anything else outlined in the Partnership Guide, please contact Alison Conroy, Marketing Manager at Destination Gippsland.  aconroy@destinationgippsland.com.au

The new Gippsland Regional Partnership is holding a Regional Assembly on Thursday 17 November in Moe.  This is part of a consultation process to contribute ideas directly to the State Government.  In the lead up to this event every community member in Gippsland is encouraged to put forward ideas on the website www.engage.vic.gov.au/regions or facebook page

We encourage all tourism stakeholders to be part of this process to ensure the industry’s voice is heard.

Eco Tourism Network Meeting
Monday 21 November 2016
2.00pm - 3.00pm (Following the East Gippsland Tourism Forum)
The Central Motel/Hotel - Lakes Entrance

To register contact Janine Hayes jhayes@destinationgippsland.com.au

SAVE THE DATES
Asia Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME)
21 & 22 February 2017

Economic Development Australia Victorian State Conference
8-10 March 2017 - Warragul - Baw Baw Shire Council

Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE)
15 & 19 May 2017

Visitor Information Centre Summit
Bass Coast Shire Council - August 2017

The purpose of the Ken Hore Tourism Mentoring Program (KHTMP) is to honour the contribution made by Ken Hore to the Gippsland and Phillip Island tourism industry.

The KHTMP Mentees recently attended a Gippsland Day listening to a variety of Industry leaders covering a range of topics including the Structures of Tourism and  the importance of nature based tourism to Phillip Island and Gippsland.

They were able to gain valuable insights from Tourism Operator Cam Johns - Riviera Nautic, Vaughan Reimers - Sports Tourism - Federation University and Linda Brock - Tourism Coordinator Latrobe City Council with the day culminating in an inside tour of Latrobe Regional Art Gallery. 

Picured above are 2016-2017 Participants at the Latrobe Regional Art Gallery with Shelley McDermott and Nicole Brindley.

L to R Nick Matolytsch - East Gippsland  Marketing,Lydia Tesch - Amaze'N Things,Kellie Panyioutou - Latrobe Visitor Information Centre,Nicole, Shelley, Bregje van Waterschoot - Ramada Resort Phillip Island,Kelly McCarthy - Mirboo North and Kylee Pattison - South Gippsland Visitor Information Centre; 

We have a range of resources to assist in maintaining the well being of yourself and your business so we are asking you to 'Do One Thing' to prepare for the upcoming Summer.

Resilient businesses prepare for possible risks, take appropriate action during emergencies, and recover.

To prepare for the Summer ahead 'Do One Thing' and utilise our Business Continuity Toolkit to assist  you to maintain your financial well being by planning and being prepared.

Just a reminder that if you are listed on visitvictoria.com.au you are listed on Inspiredbygippsland.com.au

The Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) is now housing your listing for both these sites.  Therefore if you are on ATDW you are on both inspiredbygippsland.com.au and visitvictoria.com.au.

Need a little more information on ATDW? Here is a useful infographic, or you can read more on our blog here.

The free government Grant Finder helps find grants and assistance programmes that are relevant to your business.  For more information visit the grant finder website here.  

Congratulations to the 11 Gippsland Tourism Towns who participated in the pilot project and received Gippsland Tourism Towns of Excellence Certificates at the Gippsland Tourism Conference Dinner.

The towns participated in an education program and then were subjected to an Audit of relevant services to assess their standing. The Audit was conducted anonymously and by an external agency.

The succesful towns were Heyfield, Lakes Entrance, Maffra, Mallacoota, Meeniyan, Morwell, Paynesville, Sale, Yarragon, Yinnar and Walhalla.

The program will be continued in 2017.  If your town is interested in participating then please contact Janine Hayes jhayes@destinationgippsland.com.au

Further information can be found here.

• Baw Baw Shire 
• Bass Coast Shire - Event Calendar
• East Gippsland Shire - Discover East Gippsland
• Latrobe City - What's on in Latrobe
• South Gippsland Shire - Prom Country
• Wellington Shire Council - What's on in Wellington

Image from our recent autumn photo shoot in Buchan.

The Gippsland Visitor Economy generates an estimated $1.2b in Gross Regional Product (11% of the total Gippsland economy). It supports 12,400 jobs (12% of all Gippsland employment) in over 3,000 businesses across every community in Gippsland. Tourism in Gippsland is everyone’s business.

Find out more about our Board of Directors here

Contact our team here