Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes today welcomed funding from the Victorian Government of $25,000 to improve the skills of Goulburn River Valley tourism businesses.
Dr Sykes said Goulburn River Valley Tourism’s Business Development and Training Program would improve coordination and promotion of tourism attractions across the Strathbogie, Murrindindi and Mitchell Shires and the City of Greater Shepparton.
He said, “This initiative is a proactive way to promote and strengthen tourism opportunities and events in the Strathbogie and Murrindindi Shires, both of which offer some fantastic natural attractions including Lakes Eildon and Nagambie and many rivers, rail trails and National Parks. The region also has excellent local festivals, markets and events, wineries and restaurants.
“The region will benefit from this project by offering training in packaging and promotion and event management as well as the Visitor Information Centre (VIC) Summit to train volunteers and staff about the product and attractions of the Goulburn River Valley region.”
Member for Seymour, Cindy McLeish said, “The Goulburn River and the valley is one of the truly gorgeous parts of Victoria.

“I’m pleased the Coalition Government can provide this opportunity for local tourism businesses which will be of benefit to the towns and the many Goulburn communities.”
Jeanette Powell, Member for Shepparton said, “This is great news for Goulburn River Valley Tourism as it will enable it to further develop its cooperative approach to tourism across the region.”
The project follows a survey by Goulburn River Valley Tourism of its stakeholders to determine industry training and development needs, which identified event development and packing and promotion as the two key training needs.
The Visitor Information Centre (VIC) Summit is expected to attract more than 100 participants and provides volunteers the opportunity to better understand the region’s tourism offerings and to share information and network.
The project will build the capacity of tourism operators to meet tourist needs and grow the local economy and to improve business connectivity to create a more robust and diverse tourism sector in the region.
The Victorian Government funding for the Business Development and Training Program is provided to Goulburn River Valley Tourism through the $1 billion Regional Growth Fund’s Putting Locals First program.