Victoria’s regions

Divers delight in Bellarine ship scuttling

The decommissioned Royal Australian Navy warship, the HMAS Canberra, was sunk off the shores of Barwon Heads on Sunday 4 October creating a spectacular dive attraction for the Bellarine Peninsula.

The 4,100 tonne, 138 metre long and 30 metre high ship now rests approximately three kilometres from shore in an area known as the Ships Graveyard, where 46 other discarded vessels from a century of shipping lie beneath the waves.

In the interest of public safety, the dive site will not be opened to the general public until an inspection of the vessel is undertaken and it is confirmed safe and suitable for diving.

Once the site has been declared safe, divers with a permit will be able to explore the wreck 27 metres below the surface in approximately one month’s time.

Studies by Tourism Victoria estimate the diving attraction will generate a net economic benefit of around $1.3 million per annum, with dive visitors set to enjoy local produce, dining, shopping and accommodation in the region.

Tourism Victoria Chief Executive, Gregory Hywood said, “Victoria now has a top quality dive attraction which will lure divers from around the world. The Canberra will become over time a giant apartment building for fish and other sealife.”

The ship was gifted to Victoria by the Commonwealth Government. The Victorian Government is providing $1.5 million towards the project.

2009 Spring Racing Carnival bursts out of the gates

Victoria will again take centre stage as the racing industry, race goers and fashion aficionados turn their attention towards the world-renowned Spring Racing Carnival.

One of the jewels in Victoria’s rich cultural and sporting crown, the Spring Racing Carnival significantly boosts Victoria’s economy and is a prominent occasion in the state’s sporting and social calendars.

Acting Premier and Racing Minister Rob Hulls said the event reaped enormous rewards for racing clubs, wagering organisations and a host of other industries including tourism, fashion, retail and hospitality.

The Spring Racing Carnival also provides massive benefits to Regional Victoria, with the carnival’s 85 race meetings spread across Melbourne and regional Victorian destinations including Cranbourne, Geelong, Bendigo, Kyneton and Ballarat. The Spring Racing Carnival will conclude with the running of the Ballarat Cup on 18 November.

Mr Hulls added that the popularity, growth and consistently high attendances at the Spring Racing Carnival during the past decade highlighted it as one of the greatest racing events in the world.

The 2008 Spring Racing Carnival attracted more than 758,000 attendees and generated a gross economic benefit of almost $549 million to Victoria.

Lyrebird Forest Walk reopened

The Lyrebird Forest Walk has reopened to the public after it was devastated by the bushfires that swept through the Boolarra and Darlimurla area earlier this year.

The reopening follows the Victorian Government’s announcement of a $7500 Bushfire Relief Volunteer Grant in June to support local community group Friends of Lyrebird Forest Walk in rebuilding the track with the assistance of Parks Victoria.

Located 3.3 kilometres north of Mirboo North on the Strezlecki Highway, the Lyrebird Forest Walk is an easy but rewarding one and a half hour walk through native forests characterised by tall eucalypts and a thick understorey of scrub and ferns.

$876,000 boost for caravan parks

The Victorian Government will provide $876,000 in grants to upgrade facilities and improve the environmental performance of caravan and camping parks under its $4.8 million Crown Land Caravan Parks Improvement Program.

Grants will be allocated to 34 caravan and camping parks across the state to ensure the state’s Crown land parks keep pace with growing visitor demand and are respectful of the environment. The program will assist popular destinations to provide better holiday experiences for visiting Victorian families.

Upgrades to facilities include improvements to security, power infrastructure and sewage treatment as well as camp kitchens and toilet blocks.

Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings said the demand for outdoor holiday experiences was increasing alongside population growth.

“Crown land caravan and camping parks make a significant contribution to regional economies so it is important we assist Crown land caravan parks to meet the needs of tourists and the caravanning and camping community,” he said.

The government will continue to work in partnership with local councils and park committees of management to help manage Crown land caravan and camping parks.

Melbourne

Dali blockbuster draws 300,000

The National Gallery of Victoria’s (NGV) blockbuster exhibition Salvador Dali: Liquid Desire has closed its doors for the final time, with a total attendance figure of more than 330,000.

The exhibition came to a close last Sunday after 24 hour Dali, an NGV first which saw the exhibition open for 24 hours between 5pm Saturday and 5pm Sunday, attracting almost 15,000 people.

An exciting public program gave visitors varying ways to explore and appreciate the exhibition, with visitors enjoying forums, art classes, film screenings, food, live entertainment, and a dedicated children’s program throughout the season. The education program proved a record success welcoming 17,000 participants

Salvador Dali: Liquid Desire was the sixth Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition, and has become the second most popular in the series, behind 2004’s inaugural exhibition The Impressionists which reached 371,000 visitors.

Arts Minister Lynne Kosky said the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series had become a jewel of Victoria’s cultural calendar, drawing Victorians out in the winter months and increasing tourism to the city. Since its launch in 2004, the series has injected almost $100 million into the Victorian economy.

Melbourne Winter Masterpieces continues this year with A Day in Pompeii on at Melbourne Museum until 25 October. In 2010 NGV will welcome their next Masterpieces exhibition European Masters: Städel Collection 19th–20th Centuries – a collection of masterworks that has never before been shown outside of Europe.

Melbourne’s first daily superjumbo service takes off

The launch of Singapore Airlines’ daily Airbus A380 service to Melbourne is set to propel higher visitor numbers to Victoria, with the daily flights increasing the airline’s capacity into Melbourne by 10 per cent.

The new services will create 35,000 additional inbound seats each year from Singapore, which is proving to be one of Victoria’s most resilient sources of international visitors. Victoria welcomed 74,000 visitors from Singapore in 2008-09, up 15.8 per cent on the year before.

Industry and Trade Minister Martin Pakula said Singapore Airlines’ extensive network, which spans 38 countries and 93 ports across five continents, would enhance Victoria’s links with destinations beyond Singapore.

“This is especially significant in relation to the UK and European market, which is strongly served by Singapore Airlines, and which accounted for around 30 per cent of all international visitor nights to Victoria last financial year.”

The new service is one of many highlights among a run of recent international aviation wins which reflect the state’s strong economy. Continued aviation success provides Victoria with a lasting economic boost, growing jobs in tourism and hospitality, helping to attract more inbound investment and supporting exports by expanding air freight capacity.

A world of arts comes to Victoria

Over 500 key arts and cultural representatives from around the world will converge on Melbourne when it hosts the 2011 World Summit on Arts and Culture.

The prestigious biennial conference is a key event in the international arts governance calendar with more than 500 representatives from over 60 countries expected to attend. Themed Creative Intersections, the 2011 conference will explore ways that the arts can give voice to diverse communities and concerns.

Acting Premier Rob Hulls said the event was an incredible opportunity to build on Melbourne's growing international profile as a major centre of culture, reflecting the city’s position as an UNESCO City of Literature.

“Melbourne is synonymous with creativity, innovation and vibrant artistic endeavour, and the 2011 World Summit will highlight this to the entire global arts community,” Mr Hulls said.

The event is expected to help Victoria draw new and exciting talent for future festivals and provide a platform to promote the broader capacities of the state to international delegates.

The World Summit will take place in and around the Southbank cultural precinct in late October 2011, and will end on the eve of the 2011 Melbourne International Arts Festival.

The event is organised by the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA), and the Australia Council for the Arts, in partnership with Arts Victoria.

Tiger Woods sells out Australian Masters

Tickets have sold out to the 2009 JBWere Masters at Kingston Heath where, in less than five weeks, the eyes of golf fans around the world will be on Melbourne and Tiger Woods.

More than 35 per cent of tickets have been purchased from interstate or overseas and more than $1 million worth of event packages have been sold through the official event travel office.

With the four tournament days now sold out there is expected to be great demand for tickets to the practice day and Pro-Am event on Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 November. Tickets will be available through Ticketek up until the end of October but will not be available at the gates.

Tourism and Major Events Minister Tim Holding said that Tiger Woods, Geoff Ogilvy and Australia’s best golfers proved a great coup, with the event offering a magnificent opportunity to showcase Victoria’s unique golf courses to a global audience.

The event will boost tourism, create jobs and generate up to $19 million for the Victorian economy further cementing Victoria’s reputation as the major events capital of the world. Tiger Woods and other great golfers will also return to Melbourne for the prestigious Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne in November 2011.

The 2009 JBWere Masters will be held at Kingston Heath Golf Club from 12-15 November 2009. Event information can be found at australianmasters.com.au

Melbourne secures major industrial relations conference

Melbourne will welcome 800 industrial relations professionals and academics in 2013, after winning the right to host the Asian Regional Congress of the International Industrial Relations Association.

The congress is the 52nd event confirmed for the new Melbourne Convention Centre and is expected to generate 1,800 room nights for Melbourne’s hotels, injecting $2.4 million into the Victorian state economy.

Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO, Sandra Chipchase said the win again proved that Melbourne’s world class infrastructure and numerous attractions make it a leading destination for the lucrative business events market.

She added that the Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau had now secured business for the Melbourne Convention Centre through to 2015, with an estimated combined economic impact worth more than $600 million.

Alto Hotel reaches new heights in sustainable tourism

Priding itself on being a leading ‘green’ business, the Alto Hotel in Melbourne recently superseded nine out of ten environmental sustainability indicators set by national benchmarking body Green Globe.

The boutique hotel’s latest achievement shows that best practice can continually be improved, and that care for the environment and profits are not mutually exclusive.

The Alto Hotel’s sustainability initiatives include: air conditioners that feature movement sensor technology and 6-star energy rating; double-glazed windows that can be opened to minimise demand for heating and cooling; state-of-the-art water flow restrictors that save 5,200 litres of drinking water daily, and a rainwater tank that saves 200 litres per day.

Hotel owners Suzanne and Ricardo Krauskopfs say their sustainability initiatives are already delivering a strong return on the investment in the form of customer loyalty and total financial savings of up to $50,000 per year in electricity, water and products.

For advice on how to save money and reduce your business’ environmental impact, visit growmethemoney.com.au

For more information on the Alto Hotel on Bourke go to altohotel.com.au

Industry

Chifley Doveton to boost tourism and create jobs

Victoria’s capacity to offer premier business and conference facilities in regional destinations has been bolstered with the opening of the new Chifley Doveton hotel.

Conveniently located for business travel the Chifley Doveton is situated just five minutes from Dandenong CBD, one of the largest activity centres outside of central Melbourne. The 4.5 star, 128-room hotel will include a conference centre with onsite parking, a restaurant and the Coldwater Creek Tavern and Microbrewery.

On opening the hotel, Tourism and Major Events Minister Tim Holding said Victoria’s ability to attract large hotel chains such as the Constellation Hotel Group, which is developing and managing the Chifley Doveton, is a sign that Victoria’s tourism continues to defy global economic trends.

“In these difficult economic times it is essential that we work together to encourage investment and secure jobs throughout Victoria. Projects like the Chifley Doveton hotel deliver jobs and provide a significant boost to our economy,” Mr Holding said.

The Chifley Doveton is the latest in a string of major new hotel developments such as the Mantra Tullamarine, Hilton South Wharf, Crown Metropol, the Docklands Travelodge and the refurbishment of the Grand Hyatt.

Chuan Spa named Travel+Leisure USA’s Top Hotel Spa

The Chuan Spa at The Langham, Melbourne has been named ‘Top Hotel Spa’ in Travel + Leisure USA’s 2009 World’s Best Awards readers’ survey.

The October issue of the magazine, now available at newsagents, features a complete spas report and recognises Chuan Spa as the Top Hotel Spa in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Spa Manager, Louise Ring said the Chuan Spa aimed to provide guests with a unique experience of calming relaxation and rejuvenation in line with its philosophy to enrich personal wellbeing.

“We are honoured to have been recognised by the readers of Travel + Leisure USA,” Ms Ring said.

Chuan Spa has launched a range of Wellbeing Spa Memberships to celebrate its accolade. For more information go to chuanspa.com.au

Golf Vacations launches Australia/New Zealand edition

The launch issue of Australia and New Zealand’s first and only specialist golf travel magazine, Golf Vacations, is now available.

The magazine features golf holiday destinations with separate sections dedicated to food and wine, stay and play properties, cruising, golf and leisure products.

More than 20,000 copies of Golf Vacations have been distributed to newsagents, airline lounges, business centres at leading hotels, and golf resorts throughout Australia and New Zealand. It is also being included in travel packs for participants in Australian Masters Golf Tours and Melbourne Cup Golf Tours.

Golf Vacations Australia/New Zealand edition is the fourth licensed edition of the magazine. The launch issue carries 30 pages of advertising. Advertising opportunities are available in the second issue which will be published in January 2010.

Media & trade visits

Tourism Victoria continues to support tourism operators across the state by coordinating visits (‘familiarisations’) for Australian and international media and the travel trade.

Airline reps and media touch down in Victoria

Tourism Victoria and Tourism Australia will host trade and corporate personnel from Malaysia Airlines, Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines and Kompass Media in October.

The familiarisation invited the visiting representatives to experience the sophistication and style of Melbourne and explore regional attractions within a short drive of the city, while stopping in at a range of food and accommodation establishments along the way.

While in Melbourne, the visitors took in some of the city’s most recognisable landmarks including Federation Square, Crown Promenade, Harbour Town, Eureka Skydeck an the Queen Victoria Market.

To illustrate the state’s compact diversity and accessibility they also toured the Yarra Valley and the Dandenong Ranges, Phillip Island and the Mornington Peninsula.

Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges visits included trips to the Tesselaar Tulip Festival and Cuckoo Restaurant, while the Phillip Island leg of itineraries covered the famous Penguin Parade and seal-watching cruise.

Visitors to the Mornington Peninsula enjoyed time at the Moonlit Sanctuary, Sunny Ridge, Ashcombe Maze and Water Gardens.

Campaigns

Melbourne springs to life

Spring racing and fashion will be the focus of Tourism Victoria’s latest campaign promoting fashion and fun in Melbourne and regional destinations.

Full-page brand advertising will appear in fashion magazines including Marie Claire, Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar between September and November. Media activity will also take place in Sydney Magazine, Weekend Australian Magazine, Adelaide Magazine and West Weekend Magazine with advertorials in Madison and Sydney Morning Herald.

Tourism Victoria has also launched its Spring/Summer Collection campaign with 24- page advertising inserts promoting the Spring Racing Carnival, Shopping, and Fashion and Fun. The Great Ocean Walk and Regional Adventures will also be highlighted to encourage visitors to explore regional locations outside of Melbourne, including destinations that host country race days. The inserts will feature in Fairfax and News Limited publications.

Additional Tourism Victoria campaigns scheduled to take place in October include:

Daylesford – trade marketing with Virgin Blue and the Daylesford Campaign Committee targeting Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane markets in print, online, radio, and Virgin In-flight coffee cup promotion until 17 October.
Melbourne Cup Carnival Campaign – print, online and radio national trade marketing with Virgin Blue and the Victoria Racing Club until 18 October.
Melbourne Spring Campaign – 30-second television commercial on channels 7, 9, 10, SBS and subscription television. Online activity, 90-second cinema advertisement, and outdoor citylite and metrolite panels. Print advertorials and inserts in fashion magazines and newspapers from 20 September.
Gippsland – BigPond online activity until 24 October
Yarra Valley – print advertising in Leader newspapers.
Victorian Tourism Awards – continued Herald Sun print advertising campaign until 18 October.

What’s on

Pitch It To Me Media Training tourism PR workshop

Pitch It To Me Media Training is a half-day seminar developed for the travel industry by one of Australia’s most successful travel journalists, Rachael Oakes-Ash.

The four-hour workshop is designed to ensure the tourism industry gets heard by Australia’s editorial decision makers every time, with insider tips on making contact, building a relationship, hosting visiting media, editorial pitches and more.

Pitch It To Me is ideal for public relations professionals, tourism operators, in house marketers, tourism boards and anyone wanting to get their voice heard within the media.

Numbers are limited. Register your interest for the seminar by emailing

Click here to see the seminar brochure and to read testimonials from former clients.

Spa business development workshops

Tourism Victoria has engaged the services of Susie Santiago, a leading expert in spa and salon business development, to conduct workshops with spa and wellbeing businesses in Daylesford and Melbourne during October.

The full-day seminars are designed to provide spa managers, property owners and their staff with the tools to assist them in managing their business and to deliver improved services to their customers.

Workshop content will include global market trends, financial and resource management, and customer engagement. Delegates are also entitled to a complimentary telephone consultation with Susie to discuss business matters of focus for them after attending the workshop.

An initiative under the Tourism Excellence Program, the workshops have been organised by Regional Campaign Committees and Tourism Boards, with support from Tourism Victoria. Registrations have been subsidised to minimise the cost to participants.

DAYLESFORD WORKSHOP
Date: Wednesday 14 October
Venue: Terrace Room, The Lake House, King Street Daylesford
Time: 9.00 am for a 9.30 am start. Finish 5.30pm

MELBOURNE WORKSHOP
Date: Wednesday 28 October
Venue: Oaks on Collins, 480 Collins Street Melbourne
Time: 9.00 am for a 9.30 am start. Finish 5.30pm

Tourism Alliance Victoria Annual Members’ Luncheon

Tourism Alliance Victoria’s 2009 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Luncheon will be held at the Chateau Yering Historic House in the Yarra Valley on 14 October.

Date: Wednesday 14 October
Time: AGM Commences at 12.00pm; Luncheon at 12.30pm
Venue: Chateau Yering Historic House Hotel, 42 Melba Hwy, Yering
Cost: Tourism Alliance Victoria members $80; Non-members $100
Note: There is no charge for members attending the AGM only.
RSVP: Wednesday 7 October Click here for more information and to register.

Upcoming events