SUMMER in the south-west is well and truly in swing. And what a great opportunity awaits the region this weekend with an events calendar bursting with attractions sure to cater for all ages and interests.
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The Surf ‘T’ Surf fun run and walk and Koroit Cup headlines a busy weekend of sport, while exhibitions ranging from gems, fossils and minerals to Lego and miniature railway, historic vehicles and hot rods are sure to bring more tourists into our south-west towns already humming with visitors.
The mega weekend arrives on the back of the week-long under-17 Country Week cricket tournament in Warrnambool, which included 11 local and visiting teams.
The arrival of the Pacific Jewel P&O cruise ship to Portland this week brought a further 2600 sightseers into the Glenelg, Moyne and Warrnambool local government areas.
The visit very nearly didn’t go ahead. After weeks of uncertainty relating to an ongoing feud surrounding the MV Portland, the dock was cleared just in time for the first of three cruise ships to arrive and bring about 7000 extra visitors to the region.
This is the single largest injection of tourists we’ve ever experienced.
Last year cruise ship visitors injected more than $1-million into the local economy from three visits – and Glenelg Shire mayor Max Oberlander this week predicted an even higher result.
That’s big money.
And, not surprisingly, the popularity of Oddball continues to put Warrnambool and the region firmly on the map as people flock to meet the dog and see the sights so beautifully showcased in the family film.
Seeing our streets, our businesses and our tourist attractions buzzing with cars and people is great to see.
A report in Friday’s edition of The Standard said closing retailers were the main contributor to Warrnambool’s decrease in active businesses during recent years.
A federal government Progress in Australian Regions – Yearbook 2015 report said active traders dropped by 262 between 2008 and 2014.
We don’t need a report to show the number of empty shops in regional towns – not just locally, but everywhere – is growing.
Let’s hope the visitors bring their wallets and spend their money and support our local businesses and towns during the busiest time of the year.
A tourism bonanza can only be beneficial to kickstart a great start to 2016.
