National tourism strategy to hold hearing in Geelong

TOURISM Greater Geelong and the Bellarine (TGGB) is encouraging local tourism operators to have their say as a group developing a national strategy for the recovery of the visitor economy visits Geelong next week.

In an email to their members last week, TGGB noted former tourism minister Martin Ferguson was travelling to hear from businesses, industry peak bodies and associations about how THRIVE 2030 has affected their business.

Phase one of the strategy is in its final year, and Austrade is keen to hear about business challenges, opportunities and priorities for the next three years and what actions businesses and operators are planning to take as THRIVE 2030 enters its consolidation phase.

Austrade’s website for THRIVE 2030 envisions a visitor economy that delivers quality experiences for visitors; includes businesses that are globally competitive, profitable, and grow sustainably; and provides jobs, growth and infrastructure that benefit Australian communities.

THRIVE 2030 aims to return the sector to pre-pandemic visitor spend and sustainable growth, returning it to $166 billion by this year and growing it to $230 billion by 2030, with regional Australia to capture about 40 per cent of this spend.

Industry consultations for regional Victoria will be held at Geelong City Hall on Friday, May 17 from 10am-4pm, and you can attend either in person or virtually.

Group roundtable sessions will be held at 10.30am-11.30am, 11.45am-12.45pm, 1.30pm-2.30pm and 3pm-4pm.

To register to attend, email [email protected] with your name, contact details and preferred session by Tuesday, May 14.