Victorian Government appoints Visitor Economy Ministerial Advisory Committee to drive tourism

As part of the Victorian Government's ongoing changes to its support of tourism, Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren has announced the creation of a new Visitor Economy Ministerial Advisory Committee.

Aiming to steer a new approach to tourism and major events, the Committee includes 11 industry stakeholders who have been charged with providing advice to grow the State's visitor economy and retain Victoria’s status as a world leader in tourism and major events.

The Committee will be chaired by Destination Phillip Island Regional Tourism Board Chairman John Pandazopoulos, a former Victorian Minister for Tourism.

Other members of the Visitor Economy Ministerial Advisory Committee include:

• Gary Brown, Delaware North Australia Managing Director
• Rebecca Casson, Committee for Geelong Chief Executive
• Tracey Cooper, Mornington Peninsula Regional Tourism Board Executive Chairperson
• Gillian Franklin The Heat Group Pty Ltd Managing Director and Deputy Chair, Australian Grand Prix Corporation
• Justin Giddings, Avalon Airport Chief Executive
• Matthew Jackson, Phillip Island Nature Parks Chief Executive
• Jeremy Johnson, Victoria Tourism Industry Council Chairman
• Natalie Pizzini, Pizzini Wines Branding and Marketing Manager
• Karen Quinlan, Bendigo Art Gallery Director
• Mike Yang, Chinese Community Council of Australia Victoria Chapter President

Having last year embarked on the Victorian Visitor Economy Review, the Victorian Government has moved to establish Visit Victoria, a new agency that brings together key agencies including Tourism Victoria and the Victorian Major Events Company.

The 2015/16 Victorian Budget includes an additional $80 million towards attracting major events and $3 million for an ambitious regional tourism marketing campaign.

Announcing the new Committee, Minister Eren stated “the tourism and major events sector is a broad field, so we’ve given careful consideration to making sure all interests are represented.”

For more information go to www.visitvictoria.com

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