Tourism biggest employer in Colac Otway, report reveals
August 25, 2016
Tourism is Colac Otway Shire's biggest employer, a report to Colac Otway Shire Council's August meeting has revealed.
About 13.5 per cent of jobs in Colac Otway are a direct result of tourist spending, making tourism a bigger employer than either agriculture, fisheries and forestry; or manufacturing.
Mayor Frank Buchanan said these figures were a strong justification for Council's ongoing membership of Great Ocean Road Region Tourism, the peak body coordinating tourism from Torquay to the South Australian border.
Colac Otway Shire Council agreed at its August meeting to join the other south west councils in signing a new three-year funding agreement with GORRT, costing $80,000 a year indexed to CPI.
Cr Buchanan said that international, interstate and intrastate visitation was projected to grow across the Great Ocean Road region, and it was important that visitors received a coordinated tourism experience.
"Our tourism industry comprises many small businesses that together make up a vital industry and economic driver for Colac Otway, as well as our neighbouring shires," he said.
"These small businesses are effectively selling to many local, intrastate and international customers and to do this individually is nowhere near as effective as doing it collectively and we are proud to support them in doing so.
"GORRT's work aims to ensure that tourists enjoy a seamless experience along the Great Ocean Road regardless of what shire they are in.
"Everything from the marketing to the online presence to industry development and visitor management is coordinated from a central point.
"Colac Otway is a strong supporter of the GORRT model, which is also supported by industry and state government funding, and is pleased to sign on for another three years."
In agreeing to the funding agreement with GORRT, Council noted that the decision would not impact on Council's decision in April this year to allow for printed material for all 'holiday rental' rated properties to be displayed at visitor information centres in the shire.
Council Enquiries
(03) 5232 9400