BENDIGO and Heathcote\u2019s best attractions have been compiled for this year\u2019s edition of the region\u2019s official visitor guide.<\/p>\n
The booklet was launched last week and includes cultural, historical, food, family, and nature experiences.<\/p>\n
Manager of tourism and major events at the City of Greater Bendigo, Terry Karamaloudis, said the guide showcased the municipality\u2019s unique offerings.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe value that it adds is that it\u2019s an information piece for our visitors and hopefully leads them to stay a little bit longer in our city, spend a little bit more money and enjoy what a wonderful city Greater Bendigo is,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In 2019, almost five million people visited the region, with the vast majority travelling from within Victoria and Australia.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a huge market that comes to our city and region so a document like this for that sector is very valuable,\u201d Mr Karamaloudis said.<\/p>\n
About 80,000 visitors were from international locations that year and Mr Karamaloudis said he looked forward to welcoming them back from 21 February when the country\u2019s border is reopened.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of things have changed in the last couple of years, we\u2019ve got new attractions, offerings, things for people to come and see and do and you\u2019ll find the best of the best of it in this publication,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Bendigo Tourism board chair Kathie Bolitho said research conducted to make the guide revealed a hard copy resource was important to tourists.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur research advised us that we have a large cohort of travellers who are actually suffering from digital fatigue, so they are still looking for a printed guide,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe kind of things that people are looking for are\u2026 immersive and interactive experiences, and Bendigo is really good at that.\u201d<\/p>\n