Govt urges tourists to take a hike

Govt urges tourists to take a hike

Regional Victoria was the biggest winner from a federal government tourism funding injection, but Tasmania and Western Australia will also reap financial support.

Among the eight Victorian projects set to receive a federal government cash is Bendigo which will build a new runway at its airport, while a 144km hiking trail will be built in the Grampians National Park, in the state’s west.

Two projects each in Tasmania and Western Australia also received financial support.

Minister responsible for tourism Andrew Robb said of the 51 approved projects, 12 projects across Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania, were for tourism-related infrastructure, an allocation that amounted to more than $66 million, for projects worth $188 million.

“The $66 million in Stronger Regions funding for tourism is in addition to the $43 million provided over four years to the states and territories under the Tourism Demand Driver Infrastructure (TDDI) Programme,” Robb said.

The government plans to invest $1 billion over five years to strengthen regions across he country, with recent statistics showing around 46 cents in every tourism dollar is spent in regional Australia.

“The diversity of these projects reflects that of regional Australia itself and the wonderful attractions that exist outside our capital cities,” Robb said.

“Enhancements to regional tourism infrastructure support efforts to encourage international and domestic tourists for that matter, to travel beyond our major centres; which broadens their travel experience and benefits local economies.”

“Increasingly, Chinese and other international visitors are seeking more authentic Australian experiences, which are something our regions can deliver in spades with the right infrastructure,” Robb said.

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