ALBURY’S visitor information centre will be officially opened today, with a commitment to lift visitor numbers.
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The former station master’s residence at the Albury Railway Station has undergone a $500,000 facelift.
Visitor numbers have declined by 40 per cent to 342,000 in the past five years and Albury Council will start the turnaround with a full-time co-ordinator, Jessica Sevil, two part-timers and one casual to be employed there.
A visitor information guide will be launched today along the visitalburywodonga.com website.
“We’ve actually established a really high-class facility,” director of economic development and tourism, Tracey Squire said.
“It’s welcoming and inviting and hopefully the visitors will really enjoy it.
“There is not one solution to rectifying a reduction in visitor numbers. It’s about making sure you’ve got the foundations, which are obviously the visitor centre, the website and a good quality visitor guide.
“It’s then about developing quality campaigns and marketing initiatives to drive growth.”
As well as the reception area, the centre has two major rooms that will highlight the attractions of Albury-Wodonga.
The Albury city centre, botanic gardens, Wonga Wetlands, library-museum and art gallery will be featured on DVD with online access to attractions outside Albury-Wodonga.
Brochures featuring businesses that have signed up as tourism partners will also be available.
“Word of mouth is one of the greatest marketing tools we have and what we need to do when people come here (is make sure) they leave saying ‘what a fantastic place, the community was welcoming, they have got great facilities and we’ve really enjoyed it’,” Ms Squire said.
The RTA has approved signage for two exits from the Hume Freeway — at East Street and the Riverina Highway.
“Whether they are travelling from the south or coming from the north we’ve got an opportunity to capture them twice,” Ms Squire said.
