Wyndham’s tourism industry has been given a boost, with a $190,000 grant from the Victorian Government to Namaste Westside to develop innovative ways to encourage people to stay longer and experience the best of our region.

Members for Wyndham, Tim Pallas, Mathew Hilakari and Dylan Wight today announced the grant under Stream B of the $3 million Visitor Servicing Fund.

The grant will enable Namaste Westside to help deliver an integrated visitor service program focused on the India visitor market for Melbourne/Victoria and the local Indian diaspora of Melbourne’s west. At the core of the projects is the development of a customised visitor information platform catering to the unique cultural needs of the India market.

The project will be driven by a high level of local Indian community engagement to inform the design and concept development, with a focus on integration of a cultural accreditation scheme. The project will be developed and delivered from September 2023 through to December 2024.

The fund will help set our tourism industry up to connect with new technologies to improve how visitors can plan ahead and create the trip of a lifetime in regional Victoria.

Stream A of the program has provided grants of up to $50,000 to nine Regional Tourism Boards and local councils, including Yarra Ranges Tourism, and Strathbogie Shire Council. It supports the development and coordination of new and better ways to access tourism information to get around our regions.

Stream B of the program has provided grants of up to $625,000 to four Regional Tourism Boards, local councils and other tourism organisations to develop innovative tools and ideas so that visitors can easily book and plan visits, access information and connect with our state’s best tourism experiences.

Projects include improving ways to make bookings and reservations, building online itineraries, creating digital visitor kiosks and enhancing wayfinding and storytelling at key visitation sites.

The Visitor Servicing Fund was a commitment of the $633 million Visitor Economy Recovery Reform Plan and is key to delivering the new Experience Victoria 2033 strategic plan.

For a full list of successful recipients of the Visitor Servicing Fund, visit tourism.vic.gov.au/visitorservicingfund.

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

“Congratulations Namaste Westside in securing this grant that will help connect visitors experience all that the Wyndham region has to offer.”

“The fund will help connect visitors to Wyndham to attractions, local businesses and encouraging them to spend more and stay longer by providing high-quality, personalised and timely information about what to see and do around Victoria.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Point Cook Mathew Hilakari

“From the Ramsar recognised wetlands featuring bird life equivalent to Kakadu, to the beaches of Point Cook and Werribee South across to the Werribee Zoo, Mansion along the Red Cliffs of the Werribee River, our region is bursting with attractions for tourists both international and local.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Tarneit Dylan Wight

“Namaste Westside presents a great opportunity for us to celebrate the strong and vibrant Indian community in the West and enhance tourism in the region.”