Lorne businesses unite to attract visitors

LORNE businesses have come together through the Lorne Business and Tourism Association (LBTA) to help the township’s tourism sector recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

The revitalisation of the Love Lorne initiative has been a major part of their efforts to make Lorne the preferred location for people to enjoy their newfound freedoms.

LBTA treasurer and Live Wire Park director Luke Nesbitt describes Love Lorne as “the face of Lorne”.

Mr Nesbitt said Love Lorne had been doing a lot since lockdown restrictions eased to attract visitors.

“We’ve been working in conjunction with the Lorne Business and Tourism Association along with the Committee for Lorne to basically come up with a COVID-19 economic recovery campaign, which is basically aimed at pushing Lorne as being front of mind for people when people can travel.

“We’ve been working closely with all the businesses and traders in Lorne to set up like a membership-based platform, create a website, do a marketing campaign over the radio and do all sorts of social media posts as well. So far we’ve had a really good response to it.”

Love Lorne’s radio campaign with KIIS has seen 60 “Great Escapes Packages” to Lorne given away to listeners. The packages include a two-night stay at either Cumberland Lorne Resort or Lorne Hotel, dinner for two at Movida Lorne and two vouchers for Live Wire Park’s Super Circuit.

The Love Lorne website is also presently holding a “Spin to Win” campaign where people receive vouchers and giveaways for various Lorne businesses, giving further incentive for people to visit the town.

LBTA vice president and Lorne Hotel owner Paul Upham said the success of these campaigns emphasised the importance of local businesses working with each other.

“It definitely benefits the town. I’ve always had the view that together we all win – whether it’s service offerings, or how we work together with customers that are in town and making sure that everything works together.”

To enter Love Lorne’s Spin to Win competition, head to lovelorne.com.au.