Victoria’s tourism operators now have access to a new, free, step-by-step guide aimed at capturing and considering the views of local communities to promote sustainable tourism practices.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos, recently launched the Allan Labor Government’s Visitor Economy Community Engagement Framework. This innovative guide is designed to assist tourism operators in collaborating more effectively with local communities when developing new tourism products and initiatives.
The launch of this Framework aligns with the goals of Experience Victoria 2033, the Labor Government’s strategic plan to shape the future of Victoria’s tourism sector. Community engagement is identified as a critical factor in expanding the state’s visitor economy, ensuring that the development of tourism initiatives considers local perspectives and needs.
The introduction of the Visitor Economy Community Engagement Framework comes at a time when Victoria’s tourism sector is experiencing unprecedented growth. In the year ending March 2024, total tourism expenditure in Victoria reached a record high of $39.3 billion, marking a 12 per cent increase from the previous year. During this same period, Victoria welcomed 88.8 million visitors, who spent a total of 143.6 million nights in the state—an impressive 18 per cent increase over the previous year.
As the tourism sector continues to gain momentum, the Framework serves as a vital resource for Victorian councils, Regional Tourism Boards, Visitor Economy Partnerships and the industry at large. It guides these stakeholders in effectively engaging with local communities to identify opportunities and address challenges associated with strengthening tourism in their regions.
The Framework offers practical guidance for tourism businesses to outline strategies, set clear objectives, define their project scope and identify key stakeholders, ensuring that future growth is both sustainable and aligned with community interests.
For more information on the Visitor Economy Community Engagement Framework, visit Tourism Victoria’s website.
