Gippsland’s visitor economy continues to grow as the region attracted an additional 100,000 visitors in the 2014/15 year.  This result was announced by Destination Gippsland at its Annual General Meeting held in Sale on November 13, 2015.

The Destination Gippsland Board for 2015/16 consists of Steven Hibbard (Chairman), Richard Longmore (Finance Committee Chairman), Caillin Flint (Industry Development Committee Chairman), Trent Fairweather (Marketing Committee Chairman), Paul Ashton, Cameron Johns and Sue Smethurst.  Observers to the Board are Tim Tamlin (South Gippsland Shire Council), Dorana Wirne (Tourism Victoria) and Andrew Marshall (Parks Victoria). (Pictured above).

The Annual Report 2014-15 was released at the AGM. The report highlighted positive news for the region.  We have enjoyed a number of recent successes and it is gratifying that visitor numbers in Gippsland are up 2.1% or 100,000 for the past 12 months. Read the full story here.

Destination Gippsland’s role is to inspire, influence and lead positive tourism outcomes through partnerships across Gippsland. We would like to learn from our industry and government partners how well we are performing and what we can improve for the future.

We are conducting a 10 minute survey to give us a better idea of what is important to your business or organisation and what regional tourism services we can provide. All responses will be collected anonymously and reported as grouped rather than individual responses.

Your participation can enter you into a draw to win an ‘Inspired by Gippsland’ Marketing Package valued at $750. Package includes a Visit Victoria business listing, a Web Deal and inclusion in our Inspiring Escapes Newsletter reaching an audience over 20,000.

Please take the survey now.

There are still places available to promote your business in one of our most popular brochures the Gippsland Official Touring Map. The brochure is stocked throughout information centres in Gippsland, Victoria and New South Wales.  Two versions of the map will be produced each with 30 advertising panels.

• Costs: $500+GST each 90mm x 30mm advertisement or $1,000+GST for two maps. 50,000 copies of each map will be printed and distributed (total of 100,000)
• Special Offer: All businesses who advertise will receive a free listing on inspiredbygippsland.com.au valued at $250.  For those who already have a listing we are offering a free Web Deal on inspiredbygippsland.com.au valued at $250.

Secure your place by December 18 to be part of this opportunity.  Download a booking form here.  For more information contact the team on 5668 2141 or email phoebe@destinationgippsland.com.au

The spotlight was on Victoria’s leading tourism businesses at the RACV Victorian Tourism Awards gala ceremony at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Monday November 16.

Winners across 33 categories were announced including Gippsland’s own Jetty Road Retreat and the Phillip Island and Bass Coast Visitor Information Centre Network.

We would like to congratulate Jetty Road Retreat owners Steve and Kim Kleinitz (pictured above) who received the Standard Accommodation Award for the second year in a row. Visit their website here.

We would also like to congratulate Peter Francis, Teresa Mahood and their teams at Phillip Island and Bass Coast Visitor Information Centre who received the Visitor Information Services Award. Visit their website here.

For more information on award categories and finalists, please visit: www.victoriantourismawards.com.au
If you are interested in entering into the awards next year we would love to hear from you. Contact phoebe@destinationgippsland.com.au

We have sourced advice from emergency agencies on how best to plan, prepare, respond and recover in the event of an emergency. As a result we have launched a new crisis website.

This site is designed to provide tourism businesses with specific information on current incidents in Gippsland as well as providing valuable resources and a directory to assist in planning and preparation for the event of an emergency.

For more information visit http://crisis.destinatongippsland.com.au

We have partnered with East Gippsland Shire Council to create a social media campaign to showcase experiences along the Great Alpine Road. Utilising the strength of the Inspired by Gippsland social media channels we have the ability to reach well over 50,000 people every week.

The focus of this campaign will be around history, food-wine-beer and adventure.  Read the full story here.

With summer holidays just around the corner now is the time to refresh your social media strategy. It is well recognised that visitors are using multiple social media platforms to research a destination including Instagram, Facebook, TripAdvisor and destination websites.

According to Tourism Tribe only 69% of tourism businesses are using social media for their business. We encourage all businesses to connect with visitors through our consumer channels to help share our beautiful region's offerings.

Inspired by Gippsland is Destination Gippsland’s consumer brand and the call to action for all our marketing. Our key online channels of communication with consumers include:

• Inspiredbygippsland.com.au - This is our consumer website and call to action for all of our consumer-facing campaigns
• @Visitgippsland (Instagram)  -  Inspired by Gippsland’s @Visitgippsland account now has 5,177 followers. Each day we feature one eye-catching photo that has been shared with us by our fans who have used the hashtags #inspiredbygippsland and #visitgippsland
• Inspired by Gippsland (Facebook)  - Inspired by Gippsland’s Facebook profile has 20,441 fans and features the best fan content daily
• @VisitGippsland  (Twitter)  -  Inspired by Gippsland’s consumer facing Twitter account has 2,297 followers and tweets out news and the best daily fan content.

Read the full story here.

The Creating Smart Connections program is offering the opportunity for Gippsland tourism businesses to join the online community Tourism Tribe at no cost. Once you have joined you can access the support forum, live chat hotline and Tourism e-kit tutorials. Register here.

Small Town Transformations is a state-wide program managed by Regional Arts Victoria on behalf of the Victorian Government, through which $350,000 is available for creative, transformative projects in six small towns with populations fewer than 2,000 people.

Regional Arts Victoria is conducting information sessions across Gippsland next week in Mallacoota, Orbost, Swifts Creek, Bairnsdale, Morwell and Leongatha.  Read the full story here.
Image: Neerim South, Baw Baw 

Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) is calling for feedback regarding the impact of Online Travel Agent (OTA) Commission increases and certain agreement clauses on your business.

They are asking businesses to take 15 minutes to fill out the following survey:
www.surveymonkey.com/r/OTAs

Your input will give VTIC valuable insight to finalise their policy position on these issues. Please complete the survey by COB Friday 18th December. For more information visit vtic.com.au.
 

Want to hear more from the team at Destination Gippsland?

Our new website is updated regularly with blogs by team members sharing news, tips and ideas for Gippsland tourism businesses.

Keep up to date by visiting our blog here.

Get in touch with us on our industry Facebook page Destination Gippsland - a page for tourism businesses

• Baw Baw Shire - Business Tourism Insight
• 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: Ensay Winery, East Gippsland

The Gippsland Visitor Economy generates an estimated $2.8 billion in total expenditure.  It supports approximately 15,000 jobs in over 3,000 businesses across every community in Gippsland.  Tourism in Gippsland is everyone's business. 

The Board and staff of Destination Gippsland wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and a busy peak season. We look forward to working with you in 2016.

Contact our team here
Find out more about our Board of Directors here