Mayor Libro Mustica launches the new mobile VIC
Author: Moira Shire Council
Organisation: Moira Shire Council
Images: Moira Shire Council
In the not too distant future, we hope to emerge from COVID-19 travel restrictions. As part of Council’s approach, it has been investing in new ways to reach more visitors with the information they need to get the most out of their holiday in our beautiful region.
Mayor Libro Mustica said times were changing, Council must adapt and this was an opportunity to bring visitor information to where the visitors are.
“The focus for this increased reach will be a Mobile Visitor Information Centre in the form of a specially designed van,” Cr Mustica said.
“This bus features a television screen showcasing local attractions, events and everything that is happening in the region.
“Studies have shown the best information and service providers in the visitor economy are adding inspiration by going mobile.”
Cr Mustica said the van would be well-equipped to provide visitors with all the latest information that visitors could expect to find at an accredited VIC and had been decorated to showcase the region’s key attractions and icons.
“In peak season the van will be situated at various locations throughout the shire, directing tourists and day visitors to the multitude of attractions our region offers,” he said.
“In the off-peak tourism season, the mobile VIC can promote our destination at events and venues locally or outside of the shire to build awareness and penetrate new tourism markets.
“We know that visitors use more than one source of information to find out about a destination and that more and more people are booking and researching their next holiday online.”
Cr Mustica said tourism was an important sector to Moira Shire with more than 500 jobs directly created by visitors coming to the region.
“Before the Pandemic restrictions were put in place, the entire region was tracking well with more than 1.3 million visitors travelling here in the year ending March 2020, and domestic visitors alone spending around $340 million in our Sun Country on the Murray region,” he said.
Moira Shire Tourism Infographic Year Ending March 2020
“A key point to our Visitor Services Strategy is to bring the local knowledge and passion of our visitor information staff and volunteers to community events anywhere in the Shire as well as events and festivals in major centres and other municipalities, and this is exactly what the mobile VIC will do.”
The mobile VIC is a great way for our local community to discover more about our region too. With a region as large as ours, there are always new places to discover and explore. Locals are always welcome and our staff and volunteers are available to help you find inspiration to share with visiting friends and relatives.
Cr Mustica said Council also actively encouraged all tourism-related businesses to be a part of the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW), which is the national platform for digital tourism information in Australia.
“The ATDW plays an important role in industry education, helping tourism operators make the most of online opportunities and allowing them to attract and facilitate more online bookings,” he said.
A calendar on Council’s website will display the location of the bus.
People can also receive the information by phoning our free call number 1800 607 607.
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