General News
27 August, 2024
Online passport to boost tourism
The region's major tourism body is to launch a brand new app designed to offer up-to-date information on what to do, where to go and what is open in the region.
The online Visitor Inspiration Passport (VIP) app will include maps and itineraries and a link to a QR code to promote local content.
Grampians Wimmera Mallee Tourism is to receive a $480,000 grant to develop the app with its local government partners - one of only four regions to win a share of the state goverment funding.
The project will include online maps and curated itineraries to encourage cross-promotion of all local government areas.
The VIP app will also support the Silo Art Trail to attract visitors from new markets to the region.
The first of its kind, it will also include the creation of three totally off-grid multi-functional digital kiosks strategically positioned across the Grampians region to support the $34 million Grampians Peaks Trail investment.
The kiosks will provide Wi-Fi hotspots to enable visitors to download the VIP app for up-to-date visitor servicing information, post on social media and make Wi-Fi voice calls.
Visitor information centres, Traditional Owners, Parks Victoria, residents and visitors will all be able contribute to consultations over the next few months.
"We're incredibly grateful to be receiving the funding to allow us to upgrade our current visitor servicing and create a more streamlined way for visitors to access up-to-date information on the region," GWM Tourism CEO Marc Sleeman said.
"This will be heavily influential in encouraging greater visits and longer stays to more diverse areas in the region and an overall increase in visitor spending.
"We believe these updates will help our local communities thrive, and we look forward to working with our local councils, businesses and communities across the Grampians and Wimmera Mallee to implement these exciting upgrades."
GWM Tourism was also successful in a bid for a $50,000 grant to improve the design and offerings of visitor information centres, with a blend of physical and digital solutions to allow visitors to access information 24/7.
The projects aim to encourage visitors to the region to stay longer, visit more places and spend more money.