VTIC Conference heads to Geelong to share industry disruption and excellence

With the theme ‘through disruption, we find excellence’ the upcoming The Victorian Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) 2019 Conference is looking to challenge delegates to embrace opportunities created by forces reshaping tourism.

Being staged at Geelong’s GMBHA Stadium on 17th and 18th July, the Victorian Tourism Conference aims to bring together the best minds in tourism, events and beyond for two dynamic days of dialogue, connection and knowledge sharing.

Along with local partners Tourism Greater Geelong & The Bellarine, Business Events Geelong and Higher Mark at GMHBA Stadium, this year VYIC has re-imagined its program to deliver an exciting and innovative experience of Geelong aimed at all from the grass roots to the innovators of tomorrow.

The Conference comes at a time when tourism in Victoria is enjoying significant growth with a tripling of the regional national average in visitation.

VTIC recently welcomed the latest results of Tourism Research Australia's International Visitor Survey (IVS), heralding regional Victoria as the best performer in international visitation growth compared to all other states - more than tripling the regional national average with a 12% increase since last quarter.

VTIC Chief Executive Felicia Mariani said the significant increase is testament to regional Victoria’s unmatched nature-based tourism offerings and unique products and services, advising “the latest IVS results are proof that regional Victoria is not going unnoticed on a national stage. With major drawcards like Phillip Island’s Penguin Parade and the Great Ocean Road’s Shipwreck Coast, it is not surprising that more and more people are flocking from all over the globe to visit our unparalleled tourism offerings.”

The Victorian Government’s current Regional Tourism Review was also noted by Mariani for the important role it plays in ensuring that there is a case for developing new products and experiences that will engage discerning international visitors and improve connectivity and dispersal to the regions.

An update on the progress of the Regional Tourism Review will be a session at the VTIC Conference.

Among the results from the IVS, VTIC international visitor spending in Melbourne increase by 7.9% on the previous year to reach $8 billion, while overnight visitors increased by 4.7% to 2.9 million, outperforming Sydney and the Gold Coast.

For more information on the Victorian Tourism Conference click here for details in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Image shows the Geelong waterfront.