State gears up Easter tourism push
THE state’s tourism industry is renewing its push to lure visitors back to regional Victoria as it aims for a multimilliondollar Easter bonanza.
Tourism Minister Martin Pakula said visiting the state’s holiday spots had a double benefit with the Easter break now just a month away.
Headline events such as the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach, the Stawell Gift and Bendigo Easter Festival were among several hoping to lure people back to the regions.
“We want people to get out and experience the best of regional Victoria, and provide a boost for operators who have felt the effects of bushfires and travel bans,” Mr Pakula said.
SCOTTISH culture and heritage will be celebrated when the 63rd consecutive instalment of Geelong’s largest Highland Gathering comes to Osborne Park.
The sound of bagpipes will echo across the grounds as more than 80 dancers perform for thousands of guests.
Gathering organiser Marene Turnley said highlights
The State Government has already launched a $5 million campaign to target tourists from within Australia but also key overseas markets.
The latest push comes as the Government extended its tourism campaign promoting fire-devastated East Gippsland amid claims it ran out of money last month, leaving locals to believe they had been “forgotten already”. of Sunday’s event would include pipe bands, the heavy games and the long sword demonstration.
“This is the longest running and the largest highland gathering in Geelong,” Ms Turnley said. “There will be pipe bands and the mass bands at the end — we have about 18 pipe bands.”
Group president Maurice Marshall said the event dates back to New Year’s
Day in 1857, when the first gathering was held at South Geelong. It lapsed in 1927 but recommenced in 1958 and has run every year since. “It is important to remember this is a gathering, a meeting of friends to enjoy and participate in all things Scottish,” Dr Marshall said.
The gathering opens in North Geelong at 9am, with the largest event at 4.30pm.