Several decisions will be made at Monday’s council meeting but it has been unofficially agreed among councillors that Albury can’t throw any more cash at Destination Albury-Wodonga except a possible token $150,000.

Albury is willing to take over destination marketing from DAW if that organisation folds, though recently DAW has proposed to continue that function if it can secure $300,000 a year.

Councillors also accept that Albury, with most of the Border’s hotels, motels, clubs and restaurants, can no longer allow tourist attraction to be run by a so-called peak group hampered by cross-border squabbles and funding disputes.

City staff believe the $250,000 of Albury ratepayers cash that has gone to DAW this year, mainly for wages, can be better spent assisting visitors directly.

Economic development officer Tracey Squire is expected to take a lead role in creating the new set-up early next year, with the city council intending to make full use of the fact it “owns’’ the Albury-Wodonga Tourism brand name.

Albury staff propose the council selects a new advisory group of professional tourism operators.

Ms Squire and general manager Les Tomich have revealed that domestic overnight visitation to Albury fell more than 40 per cent from 592,000 nights to 342,000 in the past five years, according to official surveys.

“We have to stop the rot,’’ a council source said.

Conference attraction roles will also be taken over by the new organisation, building on the recent work of the city’s events team led by Ros Walls and entertainment centre manager Brendan Maher.

Albury will support the new interstate Murray Regional Tourism Organisation, which will cover from Corryong to Mildura.

Mr Tomich and Ms Squire have blamed “a disjointed industry structure and lack of strategic direction’’ for the decline in visitor numbers, plus the lack of a proper visitor information centre in central Albury.

Mr Tomich and Ms Squire don’t recommend abandoning all support for DAW but leaves that decision for the councillors to determine.

Wodonga Council will consider Albury’s decisions in January.

Editorial — page 38