Tourism Talk AprilPlease select a story from the list below or scroll down to view all.
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> News from Tourism
72 HOUR SALE! GET INVOLVED AND DRUM UP BUSINESS FOR WINTER
The Alpine Shire will be running a 72 Hour Sale campaign to drum up business over Winter. The campaign will be launched 10am Tuesday 1 May to our 3000 enewsletter subscribers, and on our Facebook and Twitter Pages. All information will be based on the Great Alpine Valleys website. This is a FREE campaign to get involved but you must adhere to the following terms and conditions that will apply to all offers;
- Booking period open between 10am Tuesday 1 May - 10am Friday 4 May
- Valid June, July and August
- Excludes public and school holidays
- Minimum two night stay
- Operators must discount a minimum 20% off their rack rate to get involved.
We do not generally ask our operators to discount, rather value add but for this campaign we would like to try something new, to build a relationship in the hope that people will return in future with family and friends (as our stats suggest). If you would like to participate please contact Pia piak@alpineshire.vic.gov.au by 18 APRIL with the following details;
Business Name;
Sale price;
Normal price (when not on sale);
Phone number;
Email;
Website (if you have one);
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SUMMER STATISTICS
After collection of the point of sale surveys (enter & win surveys) from local participating operators and Visitor Information Centres, the summer statistics have now been compiled. The surveys are derived from Tourism Victoria’s figures for Victoria’s High Country- Market Profile. The information presented draws together data collected throughout the Great Alpine Valleys (GAV) as well as the document ‘Tourism Insights 08/09’ (TI) and information provided by Tourism Victoria in the ‘Victoria’s High Country Fact Sheet’ (VHC). Our aim is to provide you further information to aid business decisions and tracking of trends. The key information from the summer months is outlined below:
- 57% of visitors are aged between 45 and 64 years
- 53% of visitors originate from Metropolitan Victoria
- The average length of stay in the Great Alpine Valleys for summer was 5.8 nights
- 88% of visitors visit Bright
- 43% of visitors travel as a family
- The most popular activities are sightseeing and eating out
- Repeat visitation is high with 60% of visitors nominating prior experience as how they are aware of the Great Alpine Valleys
- On a scale of 1-4, visitors rated the accommodation, eating out, activities and events attended as an average of 3.5, being very highly satisfied
- The majority of visitors nominated caravan/camping as their accommodation choice
Please visit www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au to look at the full fact sheet.
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EVENT WRAP UP
Bright Rockabilly, Ink and Oil
The second annual Bright Rockabilly, Ink and Oil Festival took place between the 2nd and 4th March. This year, new events were introduced into the program including a presentation from local Roller-Derby team ‘NERD’ (North East Roller Derby). Although the rain put a dampener on the festival with attendee numbers down at the Saturday market, the night-time concerts were particularly well attended. Organisers are again getting ready to plan next year’s Festival and were happy with the overall outcome despite the weather.
Labour Day Long Weekend Festivities
The recent Labour Day holiday saw the Great Alpine Valleys swarming with people; both locals and tourists alike. There were a number of different events on offer throughout the weekend to cater to all tastes including: Degustation at Dusk (Boynton’s Feathertop Winery), Long Way to the Top (Dinner Plain), The Myrtleford Festival (with inaugural Cotters Market held on the Sunday), Hotham Challenge Ride Weekend (Dinner Plain to Mount Buffalo), Mount Bogong Conquestathon and the 3 Peaks Challenge (Mt Hotham, Falls Creek & Omeo) to name a few.
Long Way to the Top saw Andrew Wishart and Glen Shorrock well received by the audience leaving event organisers bursting with new ideas. The Myrtleford Festival celebrated its 52nd year with three brand new events; the Cotters Market held on Sunday (with another planned for Easter Saturday), the Arts Prize and Photography exhibition.
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UP AND COMING EVENTS
High Country Easter Festival
The High Country Easter Festival will be taking place from April 6-9 at Dinner Plain. Events will run daily within the village for children to enjoy. A massive Easter egg hunt will take place on Easter Sunday from 8:30am which is open to everyone. Other activities to expect include; trail horse rides, giant chess competitions, bocce, film nights, kite flying and walks around beautiful Dinner Plain. Package deals will be available from all accommodation providers. For more information visit www.vistdinnerplain.com Full program of events posted on the Dinner Plain website soon.
The Geebung vs. Cuff 'n' Collar Polo Match
An annual event whereby the 'High Country Cattlemen' take on the 'City Slicker' team in a polo match, named after the Banjo Patterson poem 'The Geebung Polo Club.' This flagship event is certainly one not to be missed and like the poem, has a continual history of 23 years! The event is bound by tradition and the Australian competitive sportsmanship, in the long running rivalry between city and country. Set in picturesque Cobungra Station, plenty of activities will be on offer to all ages including a Heli Easter egg drop, giant tug of war, jumping castle, live music, Fashions on the Field, helicopter rides, face painting and great food. Tickets are on sale now!
www.geebungpolo.com.au
Living with the Past, Not in the Past
The Alpine Shire Council will host a presentation by the Shire's Heritage Advisor, Ivar Nelsen on May 3rd. The presentation is part of the National Trust's 2012 Heritage Festival which has an 'Innovation and Invention' theme.
The presentation will showcase exciting examples of innovation and creativity at historic sites and buildings in Australia and overseas. Heritage can be celebrated as an active part of an exciting future and not just a static remnant of the past. Come along and be inspired by the new face of conservation in our new millennium!
During Ivar Nelsen's 37 years in the heritage field, he has seen the conservation movement change substantially, which will be discussed during the presentation.
'Living with the Past, Not in the Past' will entertain and enlighten the audience and will provide an opportunity for all attendees to meet Ivar Nelsen.
Bookings are strongly recommended. To book, contact the Alpine Shire Council on 5755 0555.
Venue TBC.
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BRIGHT 150
The Bright 150th is powering on with the production of the latest program this week. Follow the link to see the latest version www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/Bright150. A couple of new events have been added, a Mount Buffalo photo competition run by Grape & Grain Bar, a fashion parade through the eras, and the final land auction celebration at the Bright Court House. The Bright Brewery are also planning a 150th Brew, named Harvest 150, with the date for launch Friday 11 May at the Brewery with a ‘locals day’ from 4pm.
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NORTH EAST VICTORIA TOURISM BOARD UPDATE;
High Country Harvest (18 – 27 May)
High Country Harvest, North East Victoria’s inaugural celebration of food, wine and beer is now on sale.
Accommodation providers may expect enquiries about the event and are encouraged to let visitors booked for this period know the event is on: www.highcountryharvest.com.au. Printed programs are also available locally at Visitor Information Centres.
Follow the festival for updates on Twitter @HighCountryHarv and Facebook www.facebook.com/highcountryharvest
Launch of the High Country Brewery Trail
The High Country Brewery Trail was officially launched last week with the creation of a pocket guide packed with brewery stats, brewer bios and frothy facts. Participating breweries are Black Dog Brewery (Taminick), Bridge Road Brewers (Beechworth), Bright Brewery (Bright) and Sweetwater Brewing Company (Mount Beauty).
Pocket guides are available locally at Visitor Information Centres and participating breweries, or take a sneak peek: www.highcountryharvest.com.au/system/files/206/original/high_country_brewery_trail.pdf
TQUAL Grants
A reminder that the deadline for applications is 19 April, less than a month away. www.ret.gov.au/tqual
Seasonal Indulgence Guide
The region-wide guide is currently in design phase and is due out mid-May.
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> News from Economic Development
BUDGETING AND FORECASTING SEMINAR
Wednesday 18 April 2012, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Plan the successful financial performance of your business.
To take your business on the journey, you need to plan for financial success. Budgeting and cashflow forecasting are essential tools to ensure that your business ideas are profitable and generate adequate cashflow. Perfect for the business owner who turns a profit but struggles to pay the bills, you will learn easy-to-use strategies to manage future profitability and cashflows and have tools that you can implement into your business straight away.
For more information, please download the flyer.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
$20.00 per person (light supper provided). This seminar is subsidised by the Alpine Shire and DBI. All seminar material will be provided.
HOW DO I PARTICIPATE?
Register and pay via credit card at the Business Victoria website . Alternatively you can register and pay at the Alpine Shire office, 2 Churchill Avenue (just off Great Alpine Road), Bright. Please register at least one day prior to the seminar.
LOCATION: Alpine Shire Council Chamber, 2 Churchill Avenue (just off Great Alpine Road), BRIGHT
CONTACT: Sara Bailey on 03 5755 0522 or sarab@alpineshire.vic.gov.au
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