TOURISM DELIVERS MORE JOBS AND BIGGER BUSINESS FOR GIPPSLAND

Tuesday, 10 July 2018

Tourism jobs have grown year-on-year in all of Victoria’s regions, according to the 2016-17 Regional Tourism Satellite Accounts, released by Tourism Research Australia.

Regional Tourism Satellite Accounts estimate the economic value of tourism to a region in terms of Gross Regional Product (GRP) and employment, among other metrics.

Tourism has generated directly and indirectly 85,600 jobs in regional Victoria in 2016-17, an increase of 7,600 jobs, nearly 10%, since 2014-15.

In 2016-17, tourism contributed $7.5 billion to the Victorian regional economy in GRP, a growth of $1 billion or 15.6 per cent since 2014-15.

Tourism GRP has increased by 9.8% since 2015-16, from $715 to $785 million.

While the tourism jobs in Gippsland have increased by 8.8% since 2015-16, the regions total tourism contribution has gone from 8100 employed persons in 2015-16 to 8900 in 2016-17.

These impressive results come off the back of the Victorian Government’s investments in tourism, which include the Regional Events Fund which have helped deliver over 160 events across our regions and major tourism campaigns such as Wander Victoria and A Twist at Every Turn.

The Victorian Budget 2018/19 included $51.1 million to attract thousands more visitors from interstate and overseas to Victoria, as well as $2 million for a Regional Events and Innovation Fund, to help Regional Tourism Boards or recognised Victorian tourism organisations grow their local economies and local jobs, by attracting new visitors and new events.

Tourism in Victoria generated 214,500 jobs and contributed $24.8 billion in GSP in 2016-17 – representing an impressive 11.6 per cent growth in employment and 17.3 per cent growth in GSP from 2014-15.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing:

“Gippsland has so much to offer visitors and we will continue to invest in tourism and major events in our region to ensure we continue to grow even further.”

“Tourism remains one of regional Victoria’s most important industries, creating jobs and helping our Gippsland economy thrive.”