Yarra Ranges Regional Marketing CEO Mark Challis, Tourism Minister Louise Asher, Gembrook MP Brad Battin and Warburton Golf Club manager Michael Hibberb are ready to showcase the local area. 74157
By Mara Pattison-Sowden
WARBURTON will feature in a new advertising campaign to encourage overnight visits to the Yarra Valley and Dandenongs.
By May next year Warburton will hit the small screen as the feature village in a $1.5 million Victorian Government funded campaign.
Healesville, Olinda and Sassafras will also feature as Villages of Victoria, with photo shoots on top destinations set to begin in the coming weeks.
Tourism Minister Louise Asher made the announcement at the Warburton Golf Club on Friday morning, with another 20 locations becoming Villages of Victoria.
Local business and tourism proprietors also watched a two minute advertising video, showing off key Warburton locations including the Rail Trail, the national park, the Rainforest Gallery, and the main street cafes Warburton Pantry and Three Sugars.
Ms Asher said Warburton was a priority village and would benefit from targeted advertising campaigns.
“It aims to get visitation in regional areas where there is a village-like environment,” she said.
“We’re introducing two new elements including targeted marketing to Melburnians to visit regional Victoria.
“Certain areas are not gaining as many visitors as I’d like – we want to get them to stay overnight in regional Victoria.”
Ms Asher also said there would be special RACV membership deals for people visiting Warburton, as well as features in RoyalAuto magazine and on RoyalAuto and RACV travel websites.
She told her audience at the Golf Club “what a beautiful setting today and a real contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city”.
Yarra Ranges Regional Marketing CEO Mark Challis said he was keen to put the spotlight on Warburton and “it was significant that the minister chose Warburton and the Yarra Valley, and another chance to remind her how fantastic it is up here”.
Warburton Golf Club manager Michael Hibbert said the minister’s visit helps to reinforce Warburton’s reputation as a Victorian tourism destination.
“This should really invigorate the locals and show we are open for business,” he said.
Gembrook MP Brad Battin said it was a great coup for his area.
“It is a fantastic place to get away with your family, get out in the fresh air and have a look at the fantastic environment that we have got in Victoria,” he said.
He said Ms Asher had shown great support when she was Tourism Minister between 1996 and 1999 and he welcomed the opportunities given to the Gembrook electorate.
Tourism Victoria, in conjunction with regional tourism boards, will implement a multimedia marketing campaign consisting of television and radio promotions and advertising on Yahoo7 and Total Travel.
