Record visitor numbers, a returning Chairman, two new Board Directors and a vision for the Gippsland visitor economy were the highlights of Destination Gippsland’s Annual General meeting held in Wonthaggi on Thursday.

Sue Smethurst was unanimously re-elected as Chairman and welcomed two new Directors to the Board.  Neil Travers, owner of Waratah Hills Winery near Fish Creek and Nick Murray, the former CEO of Gippsland Ports were both appointed by the Gippsland Local Government Network member Councils.

They will be joining Sue and Destination Gippsland’s other appointed Board Directors Richard Longmore, Cam Johns, Michelle Dickson, Nicola Pero, Damien Gannon and Paul Ashton.  Leigh Kennedy (Regional Development Victoria), Tim Tamlin (Gippsland Local Government Network), Will McCutcheon (Parks Victoria), Paul Matthews (Visit Victoria) and Kylie Johnson (Finance) also contribute to the Board as Observers.

After a strong year for the industry we look ahead to 2019 with confidence.  We will be launching our 10-year Gippsland Destination Management Plan, a new brand campaign and a new consumer website.  We remain focused on Gippsland continuing to be a leading destination in Australia.

Terry Robinson 

Pictured rear from left to right: Cameron Johns, Richard Longmore, Kylie Johnson, Neil Travers and Nick Murray.  Front from left to right: Nicola Pero, Chair Sue Smethurst and Damien Gannon.  (Absent Paul Ashton and Michelle Dickson).

Gippsland’s visitor economy was acknowledged and celebrated at the RACV Victorian Tourism Awards last week in Melbourne, cementing the region’s role as a leading destination in regional Victoria.

In a gala ceremony at Crown in Melbourne, the Gippsland region secured two Gold awards, two Silver and two Bronze awards.  To read more see here.                                      Pictured above Andrey & Janine Lebkowski from Tallawarra Homestead.

Destination Gippsland’s role is to inspire, influence and lead positive tourism outcomes through partnerships across Gippsland.

Please see the link to the 5-minute survey above.  This will help us determine regional priorities and determine what is important to your business or organisation and what regional tourism services we can provide.  Your participation will enter you into the draw to win a marketing package valued at $750.  The survey closes on the 15 December and the winner will be drawn at 5.00pm.

Many Gippsland options are considered when creating itineraries for visiting journalists.  This month we hosted famil visits including journalists from Germany.  Thank you to all the businesses who participated including those from Briagolong. To see where the journalists visited, please see here.        Pictured right the township of Briagolong.

If you would like to participate in this program please contact Kelly McCarthy:  kmccarthy@destinationgippsland.com.au

The Destination Gippsland team along with regional representatives participated in crisis media training this month with Crisis Shield. A valuable opportunity to sharpen the skills in a range of media communications.

We encourage everyone to prepare themselves and their businesses for the upcoming summer.  Pictured far left Stuart Toplis Manager Industry Sustainability Tourism, Events and Visitor Economy Branch with representatives from the Gippsland Tourism Industry.

The Fire Danger Period has now commenced for Bass Coast, Baw Baw, Latrobe City and South Gippsland Shires. It is already enforced in East Gippsland and Wellington. To check for updates read here.

To access CFA tourism resources please read here.  The Destination Gippsland Business Continuity Kit can be found here.

Postcards recently featured Inverloch showcasing yoga on the beach and the famous dinosaur dig area near Flat Rocks.

They are currently filming a number of episodes in the Gippsland region.

To watch the episode click on the image or see here.

Concrete Playground answers the age-old question: what the hell should we do tonight or this weekend?

Earlier this month they featured Gippsland highlighting, 'Seven Things You Didn't Realise You Could Do in Gippsland'.   To read the article please see here.  

Pictured Camels on 90 mile beach.

Destination Gippsland encourages all tourism businesses in Gippsland to list on the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW).  A listing on this site creates links to multiple sites and increases your online presence and reach.  For further information see here.

The free webinar about Online Travel Agents and online bookings is available online now.  Presented by Tamie Matthews from RevenYou and Tracey Hore Sales and Marketing Manager - Yering Gorge Cottages it provides some great tips for accommodation and tour operators.  To listen to the webinar please see here.

VTIC has a range of business tools to assist businesses. To access please see here.

Tourism Australia - Essentials Newsletter - see here.

Visit Victoria has a new look website with range of resources for Tourism operators. http://corporate.visitvictoria.com/industry

Visit Victoria newsletter see here.

Business Victoria business resources can be found here.

Promote events to your visitors to encourage them to stay longer and explore further in Gippsland. See links to event guides below.

Bass Coast
Baw Baw
East Gippsland
Latrobe City
South Gippsland
Wellington

Check into Social Media by tagging us in your posts.  To share using Gippsland Hashtags read more HERE.  To see what is trending in the social media world see HERE.

• Baw Baw Shire 
• Bass Coast Shire
• East Gippsland Shire
• Latrobe City 
• South Gippsland Shire 
• Wellington Shire Council 

Visit Destination Gippsland for a list of industry links to local and regional tourism associations and local government.  Industry Links.

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