Tourism Midwest Victoria has been left disappointed after the state’s tourism agency had its marketing budget cut.
Millions were slashed to destination marketing in last week’s state budget, with Visit Victoria receiving just $15.5 million over the next three years.
Chair of the organisation, the Hon. John Pandazopoulos says everyone that understands business knows that marketing is essential.
“We know things are tight, but the reality is for every dollar the state spends in tourism it gets 20 dollars back, so it actually helps grow revenues for the state and that’s where the contradiction comes,” he said.
He says by cutting funding, the government is also affecting a number of businesses around the state.
“The state is responsible for promoting [Victoria] interstate and overseas, and if they’re not doing it and less people know about us, we’ll reduce market share through less visitation into Victoria.”
