“It will be a game-changer,” Warrnambool tourism services Peter Abbott said yesterday while visiting the National Maritime Museum in Sydney to glean ideas on how to set up virtual tours.

“We are preparing for an influx of people wanting to meet the Maremmas.”

Mr Abbott’s team is also working with Latrobe University professor Sue Beaton, who specialises in helping communities capitalise on movie-inspired tourism.

She worked with Barwon Heads following the Seachange TV series and with New Zealand communities where the Lord of The Rings films were made.

“We want to develop a strategy to promote the island and protect the dogs and penguins without having people running over on to Middle Island,” Mr Abbott said.

“Our plan is to have virtual excursions and video conferencing which will allow school groups, for example, to meet the dogs and learn about environment and conservation.

“It will be a great tool for them to then talk about their own environment.

“We’ll set up a video conference system and train our staff to deliver the program.

“Some funding will be available in the Flagstaff Hill renewal budget and there’s potential to earn revenue from the Oddball tourism.”

Guided tours to the island will continue during summer and the dogs will be kennelled at Flagstaff Hill for several months when not on patrol.

Global Screen recently picked up international rights for Oddball, which was shot around Warrnambool last year.