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L-R: Corangamite federal member Libby Coker MP, GeelongPort CEO Brett Winter, Spirit of Tasmania acting CEO John McGrath, Lara MP Ella George, Geelong MP Christine Couzens, Tourism Greater Geelong and the Bellarine executive director Tracy Carter and Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Corrina Eccles.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine executive director Tracy Carter pointed out the positive impact of the collaboration with Spirit of Tasmania on the local visitor economy.<\/p>\n
\u201cMobility data shows that visitors who arrive via Spirit of Tasmania tend to stay longer in our region, venture further and spend more generously compared to the average,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver a 12-month period, overnight visitors spent approximately $2.3 million, while day trip passengers injected $18.7 million,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Lara MP Ella George celebrated the economic boost brought by Spirit of Tasmania to Geelong.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpirit of Tasmania\u2019s move to Geelong has delivered outstanding results for the region, supporting more than 750 jobs and contributing millions to the local visitor economy in just one year,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cGeelongPort\u2019s development of Spirit of Tasmania Quay is a great example of a local business rejuvenating a blank canvas in the north of Geelong into a world-class tourism precinct.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr McGrath said he was excited about the future with two new larger vessels arriving in 2024 to replace the existing fleet.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe increased number of passengers travelling in both directions presents a huge opportunity for the tourism industry here in Victoria and in Tasmania.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ON THE first anniversary of Spirit of Tasmania’s arrival at GeelongPort, economic figures reveal a significant $21 million tourism boost to the Greater Geelong and Bellarine region. Additionally, the ferry serivce\u2019s arrival gas generated 750 jobs, spanning both tourism and freight sectors. GeelongPort chief exectuive officer Brett Winter said visitor expenditure surpassed initial expectations. \u201cThe […]<\/p>\n