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Tourism spending in Midwest Victoria reaches record high

– A message from Tourism Midwest Victoria Chair Hon. John Pandazopoulos

On behalf of Tourism Midwest Victoria, I would like to share some significant insights into the region from the latest Tourism Research Australia (TRA) annual data for the year ending June 2023. Our key takeaways are: 

• Total domestic visitor spending hit a record high of $859 million, which is up 39% on 2022 results.
• Domestic visitor spending has surpassed the pre-COVID peak of $632 million recorded in 2019. 
• 3.6 million domestic visitors spent time in our region, whether for the day or overnight. This is up 42% when compared to 2022.
• One million overnight visitors collectively stayed for 2.2 million nights, contributing an impressive $481 million to our region. This spend in region has increased by 45% when compared to 2022 data.
• Day trips had remarkable growth, nearly doubling from the previous year, with 2.6 million day-trippers spending a total of $377 million. 

These results are promising and reflect the resilience of our industry and operators who continue to play a pivotal role in driving our region’s recovery. 

The Visiting Friends and Visiting Relatives market within our region has been a further cornerstone of these positive results. We extend our gratitude to the locals who have become ambassadors, supporting our post-COVID recovery by encouraging friends and family to experience the region. It is promising to see that our data driven VFVR campaign, Ballarat in the Know , is showing tangible success in inspiring residents to invite their loved ones to visit. 

While domestic growth has been strong after the challenges of COVID, we are mindful that competing destinations across Australia are intensifying their marketing efforts. To remain competitive in this diverse and complex market, we recognise the importance of ongoing marketing support. 

In the wake of the Commonwealth Games cancellation, we are continuing to advocate for the reallocation of the games’ marketing budget to boost tourism in the affected regions. We will keep you updated on our progress. We are pleased to note that Victorian Minister for Sport, Tourism and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos will retain his portfolio following a cabinet reshuffle earlier this week, ensuring continuity in our discussions and efforts. 

While we celebrate our region’s accomplishments, we remain committed to addressing challenges and seizing opportunities in our bid to create a sustainable future for our region’s tourism industry. 

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Join the Tourism Midwest Victoria board

We are excited to announce an incredible opportunity to shape the future of tourism in Midwest Victoria.

Tourism Midwest Victoria (TMV) is seeking strategic individuals to join its board and contribute to the growth and development of the region’s visitor economy.

TMV is a unique partnership between local and state governments and the tourism industry. Its mission is to support visitation to the City of Ballarat and the Pyrenees, Moorabool, Golden Plains, and Hepburn Shires.

Starting July 1, 2023, TMV will drive business initiatives, empower captivating visitor experiences and tourism products, foster industry development and deliver strategic marketing.

As TMV prepares to form its board, we invite nominations for the five Industry Partner Directors:

• The Industry Partner Directors will represent diverse skills, experiences, and backgrounds.
• We encourage tourism and non-tourism professionals to nominate themselves, or others committed to driving regional success.

Board nominations have now closed.

What is the board’s structure?

The board will include an independent Chair; five Industry Partner Directors representing different skills, experiences and backgrounds; five local government CEOs or authorised delegates from the City of Ballarat and shires of Pyrenees, Moorabool, Hepburn and Golden Plains; and a state government representative from the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DSIR) who will observe the board.

What is the board’s role?

The Tourism Midwest Victoria (TMV) Board will lead the organisation in a collaborative regional approach to leadership, governance, strategic direction, problem solving, issues management and relationship building. Key deliverables include a Destination Management Plan, policies and procedures and advocacy.

How will the independent Chair be appointed?

The Chair is a remunerated position that is being appointed via an independent and rigorous recruitment process.

How will the Industry Partner Director be appointed?

Industry Partners can nominate candidates for the five Industry Partner Director positions. Strong industry representation on the board will be critical to TMV’s success. People with expertise outside of tourism and hospitality can also be nominated.

A working group of key industry and government stakeholders will vet all nominations, which will be accepted until Friday 9 June 2023.

How can I find out more?

Strong industry representation is crucial for TMV’s success; your participation can make a real difference. Join us in shaping the future of tourism in Midwest Victoria.

For more information about the board member opportunities or to discuss further, please reach out to Tourism Midwest Victoria at [email protected]

Together, let’s unlock the potential of Midwest Victoria’s visitor economy and create an even more vibrant and prosperous region.

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Across Victoria’s Midwest, we acknowledge that we travel across the ancient landscapes of many First Peoples communities.

These lands have been nurtured and cared for over tens of thousands of years and we respect the work of Traditional Custodians for their ongoing care and protection.

We recognise the past injustices against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in this country. As our knowledge grows, we hope that we can learn from their resilience and creativity that has guided them for over 60,000 years.

As we invite people to visit and explore Victoria’s Midwest, we ask that alongside us, you also grow to respect the stories, living culture and connection to Country of the Ancestors and Elders of our First Peoples.

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Tourism Midwest Victoria appoints experienced Ballarat industry board

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Kryal Castle boss Bart Hamilton, Sovereign Hill deputy chief executive Katrina Nitschke, hotelier and Ballarat Sebastopol Cycling Club president Tim Canny and former Committee for Ballarat chief executive Melanie Robertson, now a pub owner and Grampians New Energy leader, have been appointed as directors to Tourism Midwest Victoria's board.

They will serve with RACV Resort manager Bowen Kress, best known for his work at the Sands in Torquay, and former Victorian Tourism and Major Events Minister John Pandazopoulos, as chairmanager, in the industry partnership.

Tourism Midwest Victoria is positioned to promote heritage and attractions for the visitor economy in the region across Ballarat and into the shires of Pyrenees, Moorabool, Golden Plains (south of Ballarat to Rokewood) and Hepburn (Creswick and Clunes).

The organisation announced the board in its inaugural annual general meeting on September 11.

The board's primary role will be to oversee a seven-year Destination Management Plan to serve as a road map for enhancing visitor experiences and uniting community visions.

Workshops to shape the DMP have been held across the region earlier this month.

Tourism Midwest Victoria chairman John Pandazopolous, who led the government's delivery of the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, looked forward to leading this new tourism era.

"The passion and knowledge of the appointed industry partner board directors will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the success of our board and organisation, as well as the growth and prosperity of Midwest Victoria as a premier tourism destination," Mr Pandazopolous said.

"Together, we will chart the course for the region's tourism industry, aiming to create transformative experiences that captivate visitors and encourage them to extend their stay while ensuring sustainability and lasting impact."

TOURISM MIDWEST VICTORIA BOARD MEMBERS

Tim Canny is the owner and operator of Sovereign Park Motor Inn. With more than a decade of experience in the local tourism sector and prior interstate and international experience in marketing and operations, Tim has been actively involved in the Ballarat Regional Tourism board for the past 18 months. He has also served as the president of the Ballarat Sebastopol Cycling Club for five years, gaining valuable board and governance experience.

Bart Hamilton

Bart Hamilton is the Kryal Castle chief executive officer, bringing a wealth of leadership experience from large-scale tourist attractions in various locations worldwide. With a strong passion for finance and product development, he has a solid foundation in the tourism industry, particularly in understanding customer behaviour and market trends. Under his leadership at Kryal Castle, significant events and festivals have driven substantial visitor numbers to the region, demonstrating his ability to attract guests to both attractions and their surrounding areas.

Katrina Nitschke

Katrina Nitschke boasts 20 years of experience in cultural tourism and significant board experience. With a background in strategy, business transformation and brand development, she has led strategies to drive visitor growth for major attractions, including the South Australian Museum and the Botanic Gardens of South Australia, and currently serves as Deputy CEO at Sovereign Hill. Her governance experience spans government and private sector boards and committees, including the Ballarat Regional Tourism Board. Holding an MBA from Adelaide Uni, Katrina brings a strong financial perspective to her leadership roles and has played a key role in strategic planning and development in previous positions. She also has a proven track record in driving visitation through marketing and product development.

Melanie Robertson

Melanie Robertson is an experienced leader known for her collaboration, strategic thinking, financial management, and governance skills. Her leadership is marked by vision and compassion, resulting in tangible project outcomes during her tenure as CEO of the Committee for Ballarat. Melanie's advocacy for renewable energy led to the formation of the Grampians New Energy Taskforce. Her strengths include open communication, an apolitical approach, and networking. Melanie also has strong governance and board experience.

Bowen Kress

Bowen Kress has substantial experience including board leadership as Chair of Torquay Community Enterprise and membership in other boards like the RACV Community Foundation and Torquay Golf Club, showcasing his community involvement. With roles as National Events & Sponsorship Manager at SuperSprint Events & Engine Swimwear, he excels in planning and executing large-scale events. Bowen's business development success at the Sands Torquay, where he exceeded growth targets for golf and fitness memberships, underscores his capability. As a Resort Manager at RACV, he oversees strategic planning, marketing, financial control, process improvement and risk management.

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Program released for visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Australia

As deadline looms, 157,000 greeks register to postal vote in european elections, good friday service to be held at constantinople church after decades, south melbourne fc claim victory in greek derby against port melbourne fc, australian track and field athlete mikeala selaidinakos aims to qualify for paris olympics, thanasi kokkinakis qualifies for madrid open, melbourne’s vanilla lounge preserves nearly 50-year-old family tsoureki recipe, greek orthodox community of nsw students get creative with easter lambathes and koulourakia, ‘izzy the jerusalem donkey’: helen lakatos releases new kids book for orthodox easter, greek olive oil excels with koroneiki and flavoured oils, most untouched beaches found in mani, karpathos and syros, john pandazopoulos named inaugural chair of tourism midwest victoria.

Tourism Midwest Victoria (TMV) has revealed its plans to launch as a ground-breaking partnership between industry, and local and state governments, to boost regional visitation. 

As Midwest Victoria’s new peak tourism body, TMV will be focused on driving visitation to the City of Ballarat and the Pyrenees, Moorabool, Golden Plains (south of Ballarat to Rokewood), and Hepburn (Creswick and Clunes) shires. 

Its aim is to position the region as one of Victoria’s premier tourism destinations, showcasing its unique attractions, rich history, and vibrant community.

In another pivotal announcement, TMV also confirmed the appointment of the Honourable John Pandazopoulos as its inaugural and independent Chair following a rigorous and transparent recruitment process.

Greek Australian, John Pandazopoulos, currently serves as the Chairperson of Parks Victoria.

Mr Pandazopoulos has more than 30 years public sector experience as a Member of Parliament, State Minister, Mayor, and Board Member of Statutory Corporations developing, advocating and implementing public policy and investment.

“For me, regional tourism is the essence of what Victoria is,” Mr Pandazopoulos said.

“People know about Melbourne, but it is the diversity of the people and places that exist across regional Victoria that shape the quintessential Victorian experience.”

Mr Pandazopoulos will be charged with providing the organisation with leadership and governance, and oversight of the strategic operations. 

The board will have strong regional representation including five Industry Partner Directors representing different skills, experiences and backgrounds; and five CEOs or authorised delegates from the relevant councils. A state government representative will observe the board.

TMV’s dual announcement comes in response to the Victorian Government’s plans to transition Victoria’s existing Regional Tourism Boards (RTB) to a new network of Visitor Economy Partnerships (VEPs).

VEPs are the result of the government’s Regional Tourism Review and Visitor Economy Recovery and Reform Plan, which provides actions to address challenges and opportunities within the regional tourism market. 

VEPs aim to enhance and strengthen boards so each entity has the structure, resources, strategy and scale to perform its role. 

Ballarat Regional Tourism (BRT), which played a key role as the region’s interim RTB while the partners worked together to respond to the state government’s new model, represented industry at the co-design process to ensure members had a voice at the table.

BRT will now merge with new tourism body TMV, which will absorb BRT’s core role of representing industry and supporting the growth of the visitor economy.

Key TMV deliverables include a Destination Management Plan (DMP), which will be a critical seven-year strategic plan for the region.

The DMP will deliver actions to support the tourism industry’s continued recovery from the pandemic and help build resilience.

The City of Ballarat’s Visitor Economy Unit will resource the operational work of TMV, and Executive Manager Visitor Economy Sarah Pilgrim will continue to oversee the operations.

The Victoria Government’s new VEP network means TMV will be fiscally supported through a combination of state government funding, local government budget cycles of the partner councils, and industry partner contributions.

Mr Pandazopoulos says he is attracted to the new VEP model as it provides an opportunity to create something that transforms and captures the broader region of Midwest Victoria to give visitors a new reason to visit and stay longer.

“After all, tourism is about sharing the places we love and cherish with others,” Mr Pandazopoulos noted.

“Just look at Midwest Victoria… I see the region as a core part of Australia’s story. These lands have been nurtured and cared for by many first nations communities and we continue to learn from their resilience and creativity.”

Tourism and hospitality businesses in Midwest Victoria are being urged to sign up as TMV Industry Partners to access vital information, support and opportunities with no initial membership subscription cost. 

“Let’s roll up our sleeves and build this new entity together to ensure Midwest Victoria’s tourism businesses have the ultimate chance of success,” Mr Pandazopoulos concludes.

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John Pandazopoulos to head region’s new tourism peak body

Published on 17 July 2023

Tourism Midwest Victoria (TMV) has named the Honourable John Pandazopoulos as its inaugural and independent Chair following a rigorous and transparent recruitment process.

TMV is a ground-breaking partnership between industry, and local and state governments designed to boost regional visitation.

As Midwest Victoria’s new peak tourism body, TMV will be focused on driving visitation to the Pyrenees Shire, the City of Ballarat, and the Moorabool, Golden Plains, and Hepburn shires.

Its aim is to position the region as one of Victoria’s premier tourism destinations, showcasing its unique attractions, rich history, and vibrant community. It will support its industry partners through business initiatives, creation of visitor economy experiences and tourism products, and marketing and industry development. 

As TMV’s inaugural Chair, Mr Pandazopoulos brings more than 30 years public sector experience as a Member of Parliament, State Minister, Mayor, and Board Member of Statutory Corporations developing, advocating and implementing public policy and investment.

"For me, regional tourism is the essence of what Victoria is,” said Mr Pandazopoulos. “This is a welcoming region, with a willingness to do more for its visitors. Let’s roll up our sleeves and build this new entity together to ensure Midwest Victoria’s tourism businesses have the ultimate chance of success.”

The board will have strong regional representation including five Industry Partner Directors representing different skills, experiences and backgrounds; and five CEOs or authorised delegates from the relevant councils. A state government representative will observe the board.

Pyrenees Shire Council Mayor Cr Ron Eason welcomed the announcement.

“Pyrenees Shire Council is delighted to hear of the appointment of John Pandazopoulos as Chairperson for the newly emerging regional tourism body, Tourism Midwest Victoria,” said Cr Eason. “Tourism is a critically important contributor to the economies of our small towns and we look forward to being involved in this new partnership. John’s experience in tourism and connections within government will be a great benefit to getting the partnership off to a strong start.”

Tourism and hospitality businesses in Midwest Victoria are being urged to sign up as TMV Industry Partners to access vital information, support and opportunities with no initial membership subscription cost.

To learn more visit: tourismmidwestvic.com.au

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Tourism Midwest Victoria's Winter Industry Briefing

Join the Tourism Midwest Victoria team in Ballarat on the 30th of April for the Winter Industry Briefing.

Date and time

The Goods Shed Ballarat - Carriage Rooms

About this event

We are delighted to invite you to Tourism Midwest Victoria's Winter Industry Briefing at The Goods Shed Ballarat . This is your opportunity to hear more about the forthcoming winter tourism season, including an events update from Sovereign Hill, the Art Gallery of Ballarat and White Night.

The briefing agenda will include:

- Welcome from Tourism Midwest Victoria Chair, The Honourable John Pandazopoulos .

- Update from Tourism Midwest Victoria Executive Manager, Sarah Pilgrim .

- Overview of events and programming taking place across the region this winter.

- Destination marketing update and a forward look at winter campaign activity.

- Sustainable Destination Development industry programs and opportunities

- Opportunity for networking with refreshments.

We look forward to seeing you there. RSVP by Friday 26 April 2024 For questions about this event, please reach out to [email protected]

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Creating a stronger visitor economy for Midwest Victoria. Tourism Midwest Victoria is a peak tourism industry body designed to strengthen and grow Midwest Victoria’s visitor economy. A first-of-its-kind partnership between…

Projects / Current Projects

Bcr toolkit: tourism business resilience in midwest victoria, key information program running april to june 2024 registrations open 4 march 2024, stakeholders tourism midwest victoria (tmv) tmv industry partners local government and emergency service organisations.

Helping businesses from tourism communities get disaster ready

Resilient Ready is excited to collaborate with Tourism Midwest Victoria to deliver a fully subsidised program to build resilient tourism business communities across Victoria’s Midwest region.

This innovative solution is tailor-made, designed to build localised resilience with TMV Industry Partners and other businesses and organisations that connect with visitors.

By signing-up to the BCR Toolkit program, you can:

• Create your personalised business resilience toolkit
• Upskill with 10 x 5-minute e-learning modules on topics like insurance, cyber security and understanding emergency warnings
• Watch videos of local business people sharing their stories
• Build regional connections with other people in business experiencing similar challenges to you

Download the flyer to find out more.

Join us to take small steps to get you, your business community and visitors ready for future disasters.

Bekah Baynard-Smith Program Coordinator

The BCR Toolkit: Tourism Business Resilience in Midwest Victoria program is funded by Tourism Midwest Victoria and co-delivered with Resilient Ready.

About the project

This program is open for  registrations now.

Modules will be sent directly to participants every Monday morning from 15 April to 17 June 2024.

Join us for in-person and online workshops to connect with business peers, TMV and Resilient Ready, and to drive conversations around tourism business resilience.

• In-person workshop : 17 April 2024, 10am – 12pm, Sovereign Park Motor Inn | RSVP here
• Online workshops (via Zoom): 22 May, 11am – 12pm | RSVP here 12 June, 11am – 12pm | RSVP here

We look forward to seeing you there!

Frequently asked questions

The BCR Toolkit: Tourism Business Resilience in Midwest Victoria program is a tailored version of Resilient Ready’s innovative Business Community Resilience (BCR) Toolkit. The BCR Toolkit program builds regional connections and helps businesses to make small changes that have a big impact.

Running from April to June 2024, the BCR Toolkit program will support TMV Industry Partners, primarily micro and small businesses, to build their resilience through 10 resilience-themed micro-learning modules. All modules focus on a locally-relevant topic and take 5-10 minutes to complete. Modules include two simple yes/no questions, a local business case study and easy-to-understand worksheets and tools.

Target program outcomes include:

• Safer tourists and tourism operators
• Increased resilience skills and knowledge across the business community
• Positive behaviour changes resulting in better business
• Data to identify local business community vulnerabilities

The BCR Toolkit: Tourism Business Resilience in Midwest Victoria program is FREE for all TMV Industry Partners in these Local Government Areas:

• City of Ballarat
• Pyrenees Shire
• Golden Plains Shire
• Moorabool Shire
• Hepburn Shire

Target sectors include:

• Accommodation
• Food and beverage
• Entertainment, attractions and retail
• Tour and transport operations.

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Photos, videos show tornadoes in Nebraska, Iowa leave behind trail of destruction

Following tornadoes in Nebraska and tornadoes in Iowa on Friday, The National Weather Service (NWS) is advising residents in both states to prepare for more stormy weather.

The government agency sent out an enhanced risk alert for many parts of Nebraska. In the alert the agency said that residents can expect severe weather again on Saturday. Forecasters have predicted large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes, and flooding between 2 p.m. and midnight.

In Iowa, the NWS says that rain showers and storms are likely to happen in the central and southern parts of the state in the evening hours on Saturday. Storms could be strong to severe and have a large hail (2 inches in diameter) and damaging winds. And the agency also says that a few tornadoes cannot be ruled out. Iowans can expect the severe weather between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Saturday.

The agency also warns that clean-up efforts should be placed on hold for Saturday in both states and residents should take shelter before the storms begins. Even if the area does look safe, there is still an elevated risk of lightning to strike in Nebraska, the agency said.

USA TODAY has reached out to confirm if there were any injuries related to the tornadoes in Nebraska and Iowa but have not heard back.

Tornadoes: Could more tornadoes be headed to Iowa? The National Weather Service forecast

Video shows tornado in southeast Nebraska

A tornado was spotted on the ground in southeast Nebraska where several warnings have been placed for the western portions of the Omaha metro area.

The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado north of Waverly, Nebraska that was moving to the northeast shortly after 3 p.m. local time Friday. Officials urged those in the area to seek shelter immediately.

A massive tornado intercept was seen north of Lincoln, also in Lancaster County, footage posted on X (formerly Twitter) by SevereStudios weather videographer Nick Gorman shows.

At least 10 tornadoes hit central Iowa, National Weather Service says

The National Weather Service in Des Moines posted early Saturday morning that preliminary reports indicate at least 10 tornadoes struck central Iowa in the April 26 storm front, based on initial damage information.

Another band of tornadoes swept across Nebraska and western Iowa.

Damage to trees and homes were reported from Crawford to Union to Ringgold up to Polk and Jasper counties, the office said.

Photos show aftermath of tornado in Iowa

Contributing: Anthony Robledo , USA TODAY and Courtney Crowder and Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez , Des Moines Register,

Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at  [email protected] . Follow her on  Instagram ,  Threads  and  X (Twitter) @forbesfineest.