State boosts SovereignHill Hotel’s capacity

MINISTER for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos was at Sovereign Hill Hotel on Tuesday morning to announce the State Government is backing 28 projects across regional Victoria as part of the lastest round of the Regional Tourism Investment Fund.

The hotel has been allocated funds to cover a 22-room new build, and upgrades to the 13 rooms in the more-than 30-year-old Northern Barracks.

“The group wing of accommodation will become ensuited accommodation as well,” Sovereign Hill Museums Association CEO Sara Quon said.

“In a couple of years time, we look forward to having all of that accommodation for our education tourism, and school visitors, and our leisure market, available for all to stay.

“It lends itself really strongly to the work we’re doing in the museum in partnership with Wadawurrung from a First Nations point of view, work we’re doing in partnership with local producers with food and wine… and in terms of the work we’re doing on accessibility and inclusive programming.”

Mr Dimopoulos said Sovereign Hill’s project is a very special one.

“We know that the more product there is… the more people from Victoria and Australia will come here and stay longer,” he said.

“When we talk about accommodation product, people want to opportunity to stay a night or two, and the more nights you stay, the more the spend increases in the local economy.

“It’s also the branding. People have more stories to tell when they go back home.

“Sovereign Hill is an iconic tourism destination. It tells a story about this country and this state that needs to be told, and it tells it in a very immersive, compelling way.”