Unity set to bring tourism strength

By Tania Martin
DANDENONG Ranges Tourism (DRT) has welcomed Puffing Billy Country Tourism (PBCT) back into the fold, saying it will provide strength and unity for tourism in the Dandenongs.
The PBCT, which was originally part of DRT, broke away more than 10-years ago as it felt that the organisation had become Olinda centric.
However, PBCT has decided to rejoin DRT after it experienced problems with attracting new members.
The joining of the DRT and the PBCT will be announced at the Dandenong Ranges Tourism Information Centre on Monday, 5 June at 6pm.
DRT president Lou Hesterman said PBCT rejoining DRT would provide strength and unity for tourism in the Dandenong Ranges.
He said DRT had changed and become more of an industry body working to benefit tourism for the whole of the Dandenong Ranges.
Mr Hesterman said now was the time to start emphasising the Dandenong Ranges as the number one tourism destination.
He said the focus has been on the Yarra Valley for the past five to 10 years but that it was now time for a large Dandenong Ranges campaign.
“We need a mammoth marketing boost,” he said.
Don Hodge from PBCT said the move to join the DRT was exciting and would provide the various aspects of the Dandenong Ranges tourism industry with a way to work as one. Mr Hodge said that unity equalled strength and that having one voice for tourism for the hills would bring everyone together and make a strong industry in the Dandenong Ranges.
Mr Hesterman said that when Tourism Victoria launched its Run Rabbit Run advertising campaign for the Yarra Valley, DRT was prepared to welcome it in a hope that in time the Dandenong Ranges would get part of the ‘marketing pie’, but he said that hasn’t happened.
He said the only way forward for DRT was to convince the shires of Cardinia and Yarra Ranges, Tourism Victoria, and the minister for tourism, that DRT is one – a unified group, working for the best interest of the Dandenong Ranges.
“Many of the small bed and breakfast’s in the Dandenongs have folded and we (DRT) doesn’t know how many more will fold if something isn’t done to attract the tourists to our region,” he said.
Mr Hesterman said there needs to be a concentrated campaign to bring tourism back to the Dandenongs, especially drawing the domestic market to the area.
With PBCT rejoining DRT the organisation is now working on providing a strategy to boost tourism in the region.
Mr Hesterman said one of the plans is to encourage hills businesses to form village committees in an effort to promote themselves as tourism icons.
“Tourism can’t operate in isolation, it needs village associations to involve the communities in the industry,” he said.