TOURISM Mount Gambier has welcomed a $20,000 Federal Government Building Better Regions Fund community investment to help bring the Guides of Mount Gambier visitor economy project to life and revitalise the local sector.
The funds provided by the Commonwealth grant will be matched by Tourism Mount Gambier in its quest to develop the long-term project in partnership with Mount Gambier City Council.
The project will create a formal professional tour guiding program within the local tourism industry, which will hopefully boost tourism in Mount Gambier.
“Guides of Mount Gambier is a concept that has been developed as a key initiative by Tourism Mount Gambier in our strategic plan,” Tourism Mount Gambier board chair Kent Comley said.
“We are delighted the government has backed our vision and we look forward to bringing the vision to reality.”
City of Mount Gambier tourism and economic development manager Donna Foster said the program aimed to increase the attractiveness of Mount Gambier as a destination and encourage visitors to stay longer, spend more and support local economic growth and jobs.
“This project will work closely with community stakeholders to develop content, stories and fact sheets to share Mount Gambier’s stories,” she said.
“The program will build skills and business capacity to positively influence visitor perceptions.
“The business case shows in three years the Guides of Mount Gambier program will create an estimated $2.9m in visitor spend per year.”
The guided tours will be based around themes such as geology, volcanoes, history or early settler years.
“The project will draw on expertise from organisations such as Savannah Guides and the South Australian Tourism Industry Corporation to provide in-depth knowledge and experience in the guiding field for those learning to lead tours,” Ms Foster said.
It is expected the first guides will be recruited and trained as part of the pilot formation and initial delivery in August, ready for the 2018/19 summer season.
“The development of this project is another example of the outcomes that can be achieved by a collaboration between the City of Mount Gambier and Tourism Mount Gambier,” Mr Comley said.
