Victoria’s tourism industry is booming, with record visitor numbers and spending. To ensure this growth is sustainable, the Victorian government has launched a new guide designed to encourage collaboration between tourism operators and local communities. The guide, part of the Visitor Economy Community Engagement Framework, provides a roadmap for involving locals in developing new tourism products and initiatives, ultimately making Victoria a more unique and appealing destination.
The Tasmanian Government has launched a $50 million loan scheme to encourage regional tourism development, offering financial support to operators for innovative projects and experiences. The scheme aims to attract more visitors and promote economic growth across the state, aligning with the 2030 Visitor Economy Strategy.
The Victorian government has launched the Regional Tourism Network Industry Strengthening Program, allocating up to $100,000 each to 12 regional tourism agencies to enhance their operations and customer experiences. The program aims to improve digital content creation, sustainability practices, and accessibility for all visitors. The funding is part of the broader $170 million Regional Tourism and Events Fund, which supports regional tourism growth and employment opportunities.
Jennifer Jensen has joined the Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement) team as the UK Relationship Manager. She joins the GDS-Movement UK team, helping to develop exciting projects. Jennifer brings over two decades of rich experience in tourism and destination marketing to her new role. In her role, Jennifer will apply her expertise to support UK Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) and Destination Development Partnerships (DDPs), leveraging GDS-Movement’s experience in collaborating with 17 UK destinations to create and execute regenerative tourism strategies, measurement programmes, and storytelling initiatives. Additionally, she will provide vital assistance to Visit England, particularly in their project with the English Core Cities, guiding them through their GDS-Index benchmarking journey to achieve their sustainability goals efficiently and effectively.
The NSW Choose Tourism Program, supported by the Albanese Government and implemented by Destination NSW, aims to address workforce shortages in the tourism sector by encouraging Australians to pursue careers in the visitor economy. This expanded initiative now encompasses five programs designed to strengthen the tourism workforce throughout regional NSW, including educational outreach in schools, focused career advertising, online vocational seminars, mentorship from industry experts, and professional growth events. Additionally, the Choose Tourism Grant Program will collaborate with TAFE NSW to create specialized training programs for the visitor economy.
Hong Kong’s economic future requires a shift in mindset, with the private sector taking on greater responsibility. The city’s traditional drivers of growth are evolving, and the private sector must identify and capitalize on new economic opportunities. While challenges exist, the growing number of visitors to Hong Kong indicates that the city’s economic fundamentals remain strong. Rather than relying on the government, the private sector needs to actively embrace change and create value for the city and its people.
