Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has endorsed a new Visitor Economy Partnership (VEP) for the region’s thriving tourism industry and the thousands of jobs and businesses it supports.
Since 2023, the Victorian Government has been working with regional tourism boards, councils, and industry to transition into a formalised network of Visitor Economy Partnerships. These independent organisations act as an official voice for tourism in their regions and play a key role in setting strategic direction and securing state funding.
The Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions has worked with stakeholders to develop the Mornington Peninsula VEP. The Shire will have formal representation on the board, helping ensure that community insights and priorities continue to guide decision-making.
Council also welcomes the release of the Destination Management Plan, which provides a long-term framework for sustainable tourism growth by improving the visitor experience, supporting local operators, and managing the impacts of tourism across the region.
In 2024, the Mornington Peninsula attracted 7.9 million visitors, contributing $1.8 billion to the local economy (Tourism Research Australia). Tourism directly supports over 5,000 local jobs and contributes almost one billion in direct economic output from tourism-related industries (REMPLAN).
The Mornington Peninsula Visitor Economy Partnership will strengthen our local tourism sector through a $200,000 annual investment from Council. This funding will support a collaborative effort to build a sustainable, thriving visitor economy.
To view the full Destination Management Plan, visit the Mornington Peninsula Regional Tourism website.
