Have your say on Victoria’s Rural & Regional Tourism
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May 23, 2007A big chance to have your say on rural and regional tourism in Victoria.
The Rural and Regional Committee of Victoria’s Parliament is conducting an inquiry on rural and regional tourism in Victoria, reporting to parliament on issues including:
- The economic benefits of tourism in regional areas, including flow-on benefits to other regional businesses and industry;
- Potential impediments to the sustained growth of regional tourism, economic activity and jobs;
- The effectiveness of current programs to promote and enhance tourism in regional Victoria;
- Initiatives to increase international and domestic visitors to regional Victoria.
- The effectiveness of measures to address the short and long term effects of natural events such as bushfires, floods and drought on regional tourism;
- Opportunities to increase private and commercial investment in regional tourism infrastructure and ecotourism.
The Committee would like to hear from people involved in:
- Rural and regional tourism industries,
- Community groups,
- Federal and state government agencies,
- Local government authorities,
- Business and consumer groups.
Anyone can contribute. For information about how to make a submission, log on to the committee’s website.
Formal submissions should address the terms of reference and be sent by 1 June, 2007.
5 Comments
My apology . I have only just seen this post. Can anyone supply me with any latest progress details on this enquiry ?
How can anybody in this Industry called Tourism NOT comment. I feel that frustration however having been championing Tourism as an Economic Generator for a couple of decades now yes, the issue still comes up. Now with Rural Tourism there continues the government arguement (not always but still with many) what does Rural Tourism have to do with villages, and removed lifestyles. Everything Gents. Rural Tourism is one gigantic solution to spreading economic benefits into the hinterlands of countries and offer a cultural exchange, an opportunity to share experiences and enjoy the rewards. Yes. There are rewards. Where no new money previously was generated Tourism brings fresh currency, opportunity to celebrate local culture, music, art, cuisine, agro-products and of course Eco -Toursim adventures beyond the structured, slick programs where regular tourists venture. Those interested in Rural Tourism are people who wish to learn, exchange ideas, focus on personal life experiences. A new breed of Traveler but unfortunately many governments just don’t get it. Why? They in many cases have appointed people running tourism programs with no background, no skills in the subject matter and only understanding munching on barbequed prawns at receptions and gatherings. They offer no interaction between their departments and economic planning, nor urban or rural development departments where some smart people hang out. If such planning actually happened governments would see the amazing potential to their tax receipts something they all cherish. It is in part the industry’s fault for being poor ambassadors for Tourism and they too in many cases have nothing to offer but a gleaming smile with a ” I love people ” attitude. If they understood people better and in fact understood bare fact economics perhaps again their efforts to promote rural tourism or any tourism at all would be better reflected in their countries.
Well said Robert.
The Final Report of the Inquiry into Rural and Regional Tourism was tabled in the Parliament on Wednesday 30 July 2008. Hard copies can be requested via the contact details on the Committee website at http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/rrc.
An electronic copy in PDF format is also available on the website.
The State Government has six months in which to table a response.
Readers may know that the Final Version of Tourism Victoria’s Regional Tourism Action Plan 2009 – 2012 was released last week (mid December 2008).
http://www.tourism.vic.gov.au/strategies-and-plans/strategies-and-plans/regional-tourism-action-plan/
At 44 pages, the document is available for download in PDF, from:
http://www.tourism.vic.gov.au/images/stories/Regional%20Tourism%20Action%20Plan%202009-2012%20FINAL.pdf