The region’s tourism industry is “set up to fail” with “abhorrent” infrastructure on the Great Ocean Road and a city-centric focus, a Corangamite Shire councillor says.
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Cr Chris O’Connor said a rethink was needed, including the introduction of fees, to make sites like the Twelve Apostles more internationally competitive and to encourage visitors to stay longer.
“The public infrastructure on the Great Ocean Road is abhorrent compared to the world class tourist destinations of Europe, parts of Asia and the United States with whom we compete,” he said.
“We snub our nose at charging tourists a small fee when they are paying fees all over the world.”
Visit Victoria chief executive Peter Bingeman has also said a new strategy was needed to encourage more tourists to stay in regional areas, including new infrastructure at the Twelve Apostles.
Figures show most visitors to Victoria gravitate to Melbourne. International guests represent just 3 per cent of overnight stays in regional areas.
“Regional and rural tourism is basically set up to fail our region and you would have to question, is that part of the plan?” Cr O’Connor said.
“There are exceptions, but most of our tourism is sold on day trips from Melbourne and back for dinner and a hotel.
“The Great Ocean Road is a good example where the local economy reaps just 17 cents per visitor while Melbourne takes the cream.”
Cr O’Connor said stronger leadership from government was required.
“We hear that there is not enough private investment into high level accommodation and tourist product to increase the yield from overseas visitors and that is very true,” he said.
“Our problem is successive state governments and public servants have little idea of how to encourage and incentivise business to invest. Private investment follows strong government policy, commitment and interest.
“We have a well-qualified and motivated Great Ocean Road Tourism Board. We have an innovative and sophisticated Shiprwreck Coast Master Plan. Let’s get started.”
Cr O’Connor’s comments follow on from Mr Bingeman expressing an interest in more hotels, restaurants or nature-based activities being built around tourism drawcards. "We've got some amazing national parks and if we could offer some levels of accommodation that may entice other people to go, it just means more people will enjoy it,” he told The Age.
– with The Age
