GLENELG Shire and the broader Green Triangle are set to benefit from growth in the international air market following an announcement from the Avalon Airport.
Set to become an international airport towards the end of the year, Avalon Airport will offer regular flights to Kuala Lumpar with AirAsia, which will see an increase of 220,000 visitors each year, as well as attracting more than 200 job opportunities.
Glenelg Shire Mayor Anita Rank said the shire had been working with neighbouring regions to strengthen tourism in the area.
“Our aim is to encourage tourists to travel beyond the Great Ocean Road and this goal is highly achievable with our international visitor numbers set to increase towards the end of the year,” she said.
“The recently founded Green Triangle Tourism Group includes council representatives from south-west Victoria and south-east South Australia working together to make our region a tourism destination rather than a place to stop for fuel.”
Ms Rank said Asia was Australia’s second largest inbound market for visitor arrivals and the largest market for total spend and visitor nights.
“Council is extremely proud of its busy events schedule and we aim to work with community groups to ensure we can continue to host large events throughout the shire to attract international visitors,” she said.
“Our fresh, clean and green locally sourced seafood is expected to be a large draw card for attracting international tourists coming off AirAsia flights with abalone and rock lobster being popular in the Asian market.
“Avalon’s announcement will see benefits flow on throughout regional Victoria and this comes at a perfect time as our relationships are strengthening with neighbouring regions ensuring Glenelg Shire is a tourism hotspot.”
