Tourism industry lays down its claims ahead of Victorian election

By Murray Silby

Oct 3, 2022

**Work to do:** The Victoria Tourism Industry Council says there is a lot of work to do before the state’s regions are ready to take full advantage of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Photo by contributed

The peak body for Victoria’s tourism and events industry has released its state election platform, which it says would “supercharge” the visitor economy.

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The Victoria Tourism Industry Council has launched its 2022 state election campaign, #tourismmatters, which outlines a five-point plan to create jobs and support businesses in the visitor economy.

VTIC wants a 10-year blueprint created for Greater Melbourne outlining how Victoria must respond to the slow return of international visitors and students, and adapt to hybrid work practices now adopted by most organisations.

Other priorities include a review of Crown land use, including 49-year leases to encourage infrastructure development in tourism experiences, a dedicated business events strategy and free tourism and travel courses through TAFE.

VTIC is also calling for a cap on the number of days properties can be listed on short-stay websites each year.

The group has called on all major parties to commit to the following five-point plan:

Demand driving response to a changing consumer;
Tackling the employment and skills crisis in tourism and the visitor economy;
Access and improving infrastructure in a new visitor economy;
Planning for the Commonwealth Games and beyond; and
Creating a 10-year blueprint to revitalise greater Melbourne.

VTIC chief executive Felicia Mariani said Victoria faced multiple pressures while working towards a full recovery.

She said those challenges included the slow return of international visitors to the state, a lack of affordable housing in the regions, a need for co-ordinated long-term strategies for tourism growth tailored towards the regions and Greater Melbourne, and planning visitor services across four regional sites for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

“There is no doubt that regional Victoria will shine on the global stage during the 2026 Victoria Commonwealth Games,” Ms Mariani said.

“There’s a lot of work to do, however, before our regions can provide the quality accommodation, servicing and transport needed to manage up to 40,000 visitors that are expected to travel to each of the four regions.

“We must look at the whole picture and plan for the new environment we are living and working in.”

By Murray Silby

Senior Journalist