FIRE-affected North East communities will get tourism promotion.
Member for Benalla Bill Sykes said he had asked Tourism Minister Louise Asher to help address the economic impact of the bushfires, especially for the area around Harrietville, Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain.
“There has been a major impact on the local economy due to reduced visitation, especially on the Australia Day long weekend,” Dr Sykes said.
“I am aware that many businesses in this region have experienced significant reductions in income,” he said.
Dr Sykes said Tourism North East chief executive Sara Quon was liaising with businesses and preparing initiatives to encourage people to visit when the area was safe.
Ms Asher said that once these areas were safe she would direct Tourism Victoria to promote the area as being “open for business”.