One Gippsland welcomes influential new board member

One Gippsland has welcomed an influential new member with Destination Gippsland joining the Board to help drive the alliance’s tourism agenda.

 The first order of business for the new board members has been participating in a high-level meeting with the Federal Minister for Tourism where the region’s tourism challenges were discussed.

 One Gippsland Chair Cr Brett Tessari said “Destination Gippsland is an enormous contributor to our region and we are thrilled to welcome their expertise and knowledge to the table.”

 “Tourism is a key industry for our local economy and One Gippsland is focused on growing our tracks and trails infrastructure and creating world class events to support and grow our local industry” Cr Tessari said.

 Today, members of the One Gippsland Board including Destination Gippsland, met with the Hon. Dan Tehan Federal Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment to seek government support for the Gippsland region specifically:

●        Gippsland Tracks and Trails ($83 million total funding) for priority projects including Bass Coast Dinosaur Trail, Gippsland Odyssey Trail and Gippsland Lakes Aquatic Trail;

●        Gippsland Events Strategy ($5.3 million) for event coordination and development of a Food/Drink Tourism Strategy.

 Tourism employs approximately 13,000 people in Gippsland, however this year the region has lost an estimated 1.7 million visitors due to the global pandemic. Multi-million dollar events such as the MotoGP were called off, in addition to the cancellation of approximately 50 community events, many of which will struggle to return next year.

 The Chair of Destination Gippsland Mr Nick Murray said “Gippsland has incredible natural assets and unique visitor experiences.  Tourists love our tracks and trails as they roam the Gippsland Lakes, Phillip Island Nature Park, Wilson’s Promontory National Park and Mount Baw Baw Alpine Resort.

 “People travel here for our gourmet food and wine, cultural attractions and world class events such as the Moto GP.”

 Mr Murray said “We know that great things can be achieved when Gippslanders work together, and One Gippsland is working with the Federal Government to help deliver better outcomes for our region.”

 Other industry members on the One Gippsland Board include Food and Fibre Gippsland, Federation University and TAFE Gippsland.  Bass Coast Shire Council, Baw Baw Shire Council, East Gippsland Shire Council, Latrobe City Council and South Gippsland Shire Council are member councils.

Image: One Gippsland Board members meet with Federal Minister for Tourism the Hon. Dan Tehan MP