Macedon’s tourism industry has been given a boost, with Daylesford Macedon Tourism (DMT) receiving a $50,000 grant to develop innovative ways to encourage visitors to stay longer.
The grant will help DMT to deliver a regional visitor servicing strategy to optimise investment, which includes past visitor servicing work and new research.
Chief executive Steve Wroe said the project will be managed by DTM, while working closely with both Hepburn and Macedon Ranges councils.
“We will use the funding to develop a modern and best-practise approach to delivering information to visitors,” he said.
“This includes pre-visit, in-region, and post-visit to help encourage repeat visitation and advocacy for the region.
“We will look at digital channels, mobile, visitor information centres, which are managed by the councils [and] signage, including the use of QR technology.
“[We will] also draw on recommendations on the operation of the centre for inspiration at Woodend and the recently-completed regional Destination Management Plan.”
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas congratulated DMT and Goldfields Gateway, which also secured a grant.
“The fund will help to connect visitors to Macedon to attractions [and] local businesses,” she said.
“[While] encouraging them to spend more and stay longer by providing high-quality, personalised and timely information about what to see and do around Victoria.”
Goldfields Gateway received $625,000 to present an integrated physical and digital wayfinding system that captures and informs visitors, inviting them to explore the Victorian Goldfields.
Details: tourism.vic.gov.au/visitorservicingfund.
