The Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) and the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes the launch of The Great Victorian Bathing Trail – a blueprint for a Victorian hot springs and bathing tourism strategy, produced by the 2018 recipient of VTIC's Lynette Bergin Tourism Award, Matt Sykes of Peninsula Hot Springs.
VTIC Chief Executive Felicia Mariani commended Mr Sykes on his exemplary work and highlighted the importance of supporting talent and building innovation within the industry.
"VTIC is proud to support an award which promotes strategic thinking and assists in bringing exciting ideas that benefit the Victorian tourism and events sector to life," Ms Mariani said.
"Matt's comprehensive report truly embodies what the Lynette Bergin Fellowship stands for and we were proud to name him the 2018 winner."
Mr Sykes' research puts forth a vision for a new signature tourism experience coined The Great Victorian Bathing Trail. The concept links hot springs and bathing tourism destinations along the whole of Victoria's southern coastline with other nature-based experiences like our iconic walks, rail and food trails.
"In VTIC's submission to the State Government's Regional Tourism Review, one of our key priority areas is the need for more compelling tourism and nature-based experiences that will drive national and international visitation into our regions.
"The Great Victorian Bathing Trail is a perfect example of what we are calling for. This unique offering is exactly what Victoria needs to remain competitive and a cut above the rest."
The report states that Victoria is uniquely positioned to define itself as the nation's 'hot springs state,' boasting subsurface geothermal water right along its southern coastline.
"The plethora of geothermal springs in Victoria creates a truly unique selling point globally for our state and positions Victoria prominently among countries around the world that are focusing on this lucrative and growing sector."
Victorian Chamber Chief Executive Mark Stone AM commended the blueprint and said it aligned with the findings of the recently released Victorian Chamber Health Industry Taskforce report.
"Victoria's clean environment has made our state a destination of choice in the fast-growing wellness tourism market, estimated at $639 billion worldwide," Mr Stone said.
"The variety of health and wellness activities on offer in Victoria are appealing to increasingly health-conscious consumers from interstate and abroad. The Great Victorian Bathing Trail seeks to leverage our strengths and cement the state as a major wellness tourism market."
Victoria's Bathing Trail begins in the west of the state at the new Deep Blue Hotel and Hot Spring in Warrnambool.
The next stops along the trail will be, the proposed Twelve Apostles Hot Springs near Port Campbell; the established Peninsula Hot Springs on the Mornington Peninsula; the Phillip Island Hot Springs and Saltwater Baths on Phillip Island (under construction); the proposed Nunduk Hot Springs Resort in Seacombe, East Gippsland; and Metung on the Gippsland Lakes in East Gippsland, where Peninsula Hot Springs is also developing a hot springs wellness hotel and bathing marina.
"Together, these destinations will create what is a truly unique and inspiring bathing trail across coastal Victoria from end-to-end," Mr Stone said.
View a copy of The Great Victorian Bathing Trail
