TAA (Vic) General Manager Dougal Hollis said the Andrews Labor Government had recognised the importance of the tourism sector in its first Budget since its re-election late last year.

“It is great to see the 2019-20 Budget allocate $32million to market Victoria to visitors from intra and interstate and overseas,” Mr Hollis said.

“This includes continued funding for the important recognition provided by the Victorian Tourism Awards and work done by regional tourism boards.”

Mr Hollis said the State Government had acknowledged the importance of the hospitality sector as a contributor to jobs growth in Victoria.

“Our sector has seen an amazing 42,000 new jobs created between 2013-14 and 2017-18,” he said.

“This ranks fourth out of the 16 industry sectors measured – ahead of traditionally strong contributors like education, agriculture and mining. The hospitality sector is vital to Victoria’s growth and our members can rest assured TAA (Vic) will continue to represent them at the highest levels.”

Mr Hollis said some key tourism-related features in the State Budget included:

• $106 million to attract visitors to Victoria’s ‘great outdoors,’ including 30 new campsites, 30 upgraded campsites, a new coastal park on the Bass Coast and iconic ‘Sea to Summit’ hiking trail in East Gippsland.
• $50 million allocation of Commonwealth funding for the Melbourne Airport Rail Link, for business case development, design and pre-construction works.
• $15.9 million each year, over the next three years, to continue to fund the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) Summer Program, deliver the NGV Triennial of Contemporary Art and Design and support maintenance and management of exhibitions at the NGV.
• $4.5 million each year, over the next three years, to deliver on an election commitment to deliver “Victoria Live.”
• $4 million this year and $1 million in 2020/21 allocated to in-bound trade missions and World Expo 2020 (this funding recognises the importance of inbound trade missions in bringing international business delegates to Melbourne).
• $3 million to enhance Hanging Rock, with stronger environmental protections and upgraded facilities and $1.5 million for a new statutory authority, set up to protect the Great Ocean Road, its environment and communities.
• Grants of up to $200,000 will be available to primary producers of small scale and craft food and beverages (including wineries and brewers) to scale up their operations, create local jobs and increase Victoria’s agricultural exports.

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