Growth and jobs for alpine resorts

Findings from a new economic study show Victoria’s alpine industry continues to grow from strength to strength, with Mt Baw Baw contributing $35 million in value added expenditure and 357 jobs.

Results from the Victorian Alpine Resorts Economic Contribution Studies report show the alpine industry is delivering unprecedented growth for Victoria’s economy and jobs sector.

The report, commissioned by the Alpine Resorts Co-ordinating Council, shows Victorian alpine resorts contributed $911 million of gross state profit to the state’s economy in the 2016/2017 winter and summer months.

The latest study assessed the economic contribution of Mt Baw Baw, Lake Mountain, Mt Buller/Mt Stirling, Falls Creek and Mt Hotham resorts across the winter and summer seasons, with alpine resorts generating nearly 7900 jobs in winter and more than 1200 jobs over summer.

Alpine resorts welcomed a total of 762,981 visitors across the winter months, which produced almost 1.4 million visitor nights.

Mt Baw Baw’s total visitors was recorded at 92,410, with total visitor days 103,970.

The gross direct visitor expenditure generated over this period in 2016 was $709 million, up from $692 million in 2011.

Resorts also received 348,366 visitors for a total of 485,722 visitor days during summer months in 2016/17. Gross Direct Visitor Expenditure generated during this period was $108 million, an increase from $103 million in 2011.

Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the findings represented a 26 per cent increase on figures from the past study in 2011.