Record numbers visit the region
A record number of visitors to Gippsland this year injected an estimated $87 million into the region’s economy.
The numbers were compiled by tourism body Destination Gippsland that says it is confident of building visitor numbers further next year with the launch of a 10-year management plan for the region, a new brand campaign and new consumer website.
Board chair Sue Smethurst, re-elected for a second term at the annual meeting, described the year as “outstanding” for Gippsland tourism.
More people than ever enjoyed the region’s beaches and waterways, parks, boutique villages, cycling paths and paddock to plate experiences, she said.
The annual meeting appointed two more members to the skills-based Board.
Neil Travers, owner of Waratah Hills winery at Fish Creek, and Nick Murray, a former chief executive officer of Gippsland Ports, are the new members.
They join Ms Smethurst, finance and governance specialist Richard Longmore, owner of Riviera Nautic Cam Johns, environmental consultant Michelle Dickson, chief executive officer of Lardner Park Nicola Pero, Tinamba Hotel’s Damien Gannon and chief executive of Running Wild events Paul Ashton.
Leigh Kennedy from Regional Development Victoria, Tim Tamlin representing the Gippsland Local Government Network, Will McCutcheon of Parks Victoria and Paul Matthews from Visit Victoria continue as board observers.
Appointments to the board are made by member councils of the GLGN.