The council employed a consulting firm to work with tourism operators during 20 workshops across Beechworth, Rutherglen, Chiltern and Yackandandah at the end of 2017.

A key message was that millennials will become the majority age group of tourists in eight years’ time and be looking for “authentic experiences”, such as knowing the story behind the experience.

Social media is expected to play a big part in their decision to visit a destination.

Consultants Urban Enterprise predicted 1 million extra visitors would come to the North East each year by 2022, which was halfway between the 500,000 extras predicted by Tourism Victoria and the 1.5 million that would occur if the current growth rate continued.

It was expected 225,000 of those extra visitors would travel to Indigo Shire.

A study found just 4 per cent of visitors were looking for heritage activities, compared to  22 per cent with an interest in nature.

The workshops asked representatives from each town to come up with “game-changing” ideas to attract mote tourists.

Beechworth people wanted to open up access to underused spaces and places Beechworth Gorge, Lake Sambell and gold mine sites.

The priority was to package up the town’s heritage sites such as the old Beechworth Asylum, old Beechworth Gaol and Burke Museum and connect these spaces to the main street.

Rutherglen’s big plans were for river-based experiences, involving food and wine at sunset, and an iconic art installation on either silos or a water tower in the short term which could be interactive and changeable.

A light and music show was also suggested for Yackandandah, which would be totally renewable – in line with the town’s goal to become 100 per cent reliant on solar energy by 2022.

It was hoped hand-cut mountain bike trails, unlike anywhere else, and the new rail trail would bring new cycle visitors to Yackandandah.

All towns recognised cycle tourism was a big part of the future for the North East.

Chiltern’s “game-changing” idea was a July Jam Music Festival and in keeping with a desire to be a family-friendly region, the priority was to create the best playground in Australia.

Urban Enterprise will work with Indigo Council to shape the Indigo Destination Game Changer 2022/23 tourism strategy.

The draft strategy is expected to be released in February for consultation before it is finalised in April and ready to implement in May 2018.