Nationals candidate for Murray Plains Brett Hosking and Murray River Tourism chief executive Cameron Sutton at the meeting with David Littleproud.
The Littleproud tourism caravan rolled into Echuca on Sunday night and headed for Bendigo on Monday morning in no doubt the local tourism industry is expecting stronger advocacy to further unlock its potential.
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Federal Shadow Tourism Minister David Littleproud was told while everyone saw the region as an agricultural powerhouse, the visitor economy was almost as big.
Nationals candidate for Murray Plains Brett Hosking said tourism injected almost $300 million into the local economy and directly employed around 1000 people.
Mr Hosking said with the region’s proven, and growing, visitor economy, strategic government investment and policy support could unlock further tourism growth, which would bring with it regional jobs and economic prosperity.
“Regional tourism needs a dependable workforce, and the industry continues to experience staffing challenges, and potential changes to migration settings under the working holidaymaker visas could create further uncertainty, and that extends to horticulture, agriculture, hospitality, accommodation, food services and visitor attractions,” he said.
Henry’s Bridge Hotel owner and Campaspe Shire councillor Paul Jarman with Shadow Tourism Minister David Littleproud.
Campaspe Shire councillor and hotelier Paul Jarman — who hosted the meeting at his Henry’s Bridge Hotel — agreed, and said a dependable workforce supported business viability, visitor experiences, service standards and the broader regional economy.
Cr Jarman said “we need Canberra to improve appropriate access to regional and seasonal workers and better support the businesses which rely on them”.
“Tourism is not a standalone industry in Campaspe, it is connected to agriculture, hospitality, retail, accommodation, events, transport and the wider economy,” he added.
“Council is also working on initiatives, including a three-year destination marketing plan and funding, industry network and training, accreditation and awards mentoring, visitor precinct development, agritourism and major event attractions.
“We need government investment and policy support to build on this existing momentum.”
David Littleproud at the tourism roundtable in Echuca on Sunday night.
