Federal Tourism Minister Fran Bailey, centre, was joined at the Farm and Nature Tourism Workshop at Yering by Shire of Yarra Ranges mayor Tim Heenan and Jennifer Hutchison, CEO of Yarra Valley and The Dandenongs Marketing Ltd.MORE than 50 farmers and rural landowners took the opportunity recently to learn more about nature-based tourism.
Yarra Valley and The Dandenongs Marketing (YV&TDM) hosted the region’s first nature-based tourism development program in June.
The development program was held in the lead-up to the Victorian State Government’s Draft Nature Based Tourism Strategy.
The strategy, prepared by Parks Victoria, the Department of Sustainable Environment and Tourism Victoria, covers ecotourism, adventure tourism, indigenous tourism (nature-based) and trails as well as linking with other tourism industry sectors including food and wine, and touring.
The Farm and Nature Tourism Workshop, developed by Sustainable Tourism CRC, and delivered in partnership with YV&TDM and the Shire of Yarra Ranges, was rolled out for the first time in Victoria.
Fran Bailey, member for McEwen and Federal Minister for Tourism spoke of the benefits of diversification for rural landholders, which included financial benefits for farmers who, she said, have been doing it tough in recent years.
“Initiatives such as agri-tourism, can give visitors a unique way to experience our Yarra Valley,” Ms Bailey said.
“Tourists can experience first hand the highs and lows of rural life, taste our fabulous food and wines and enjoy the breathtaking views which are unique to our beautiful region.”
YV&TDM CEO Jennifer Hutchison predicted nature-based tourism would be one of the growth areas for tourism in Victoria in the next 10 years.
