Campaign wants 12 Apostles tourists to treasure their visit

THE local tourism group closest to the 12 Apostles is urging visitors to the iconic tourist attraction to respect the environment and travel to and from the area responsibly.
12 Apostles Tourism and Business Group has launched the “Treasure the Land We Love” campaign that aims to share the values of the community with visitors, and appeal to the type of visitors that share their values.
The campaign specifically asks visitors to:

• Consider their safety, the safety of others and the protection of critical habitat for native wildlife – encouraging visitors to stay on track, behind barriers not to swim at unpatrolled beaches reduces risk to visitors and volunteer first responders
• Stay longer – stay and explore to really understand the area, look for locally sourced and made produce and book direct to support local businesses and jobs, and
• Keep it clean – make responsible choices to reduce waste, use of plastics and appreciate that they are guests in a very special place.

“We’ve been working on this for a while and think there is an opportunity now, to influence Victorians and make sure they understand how they can support tourism businesses and everyone who lives here, helping us sustainably recover from the economic fallout of COVID-19,” 12 Apostles Tourism and Business Group chair Richard Nesseler said.
The project was developed out of actions identified in the 12 Apostles Coast and Hinterland Destination Action Plan, and used funding sourced through a destination partnership with Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism (GORRT).
Corangamite Shire Council and GORRT are supporting the project through additional funding and resourcing.
“Treasure the Land We Love aims to promote responsible travel behaviour, and let people know that the people who live and work here care passionately about sustainability”, Mr Nesseler said.
The digital campaign will target visitors in the area and planning to travel to the area with a clear message to look after the environment and local communities.
Locals are being encouraged to share the message, as it “really is a message from the whole community to all visitors”.