Due to the decimating impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the tourism industry, Grampians Tourism has instated a Tourism Crisis Response & Grampians Recovery Taskforce.  

The Grampians Recovery Taskforce will work with tourism businesses, associations, peak bodies and government to facilitate the best regional outcomes for the recovery of the Grampians region. The taskforce will identify and implement new plans to target key domestic markets and position the region to recover quickly from the impacts of COVID-19.

The global impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the tourism industry, including the Grampians region has lead the Grampians Regional Tourism Board to take on the leadership role that is necessary to ensure the ongoing survival, transformation and recovery of the tourism industry within a regional, state, national and international context.  

“The recovery of the businesses and communities affected by COVID-19 will be a fundamental aspect of ensuring the success of the region’s economic recovery following the global pandemic,” said Marc Sleeman – CEO Grampians Tourism.

Key roles of the Tourism Crisis Response & Grampians Recovery Taskforce include:

• Assessing the direct and indirect economic impacts of COVID-19 including losses on local business and employment.
• Ensuring participation in relevant municipal, regional or state level emergency coordination committees and forums to receive and provide advice.
• Keep abreast of major changes and updates in the Health advice and restrictions and communicate to industry.
• Identify major barriers to trade through the immediate and long-term economic recovery period.
• Develop strategies to address local marketing and commerce opportunities deliverable within the parameters of the COVID-19 restrictions.
• Identify major projects (private and government investment) to stimulate significant tourism economic recovery.

“The Grampians Recovery Taskforce make strategic decisions about the actions relating to the economic tourism recovery of the Grampians region in a timely manner within operational budget constraints of Grampians Tourism Board,” said Marc Sleeman.

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“The Grampians Recovery Taskforce will bring together local tourism leaders to ensure the development and implementation of a united regional response to the COVID-19 crisis,” said Marc Sleeman.

The Tourism Crisis Response & Grampians Recovery Taskforce will be developed and implemented by the following regional leaders of the tourism industry:

• Chair - Paul Hooper – Independent Chair Grampians Tourism Board Inc.
• Marc Sleeman – CEO Grampians Tourism Board Inc.
• Serena Eldridge – Business Manager Grampians Tourism Board Inc.
• Sarah Myers – Brand and Marketing – Grampians Tourism Board Inc.
• Dr. Tim Harrison – CEO Ararat Rural City Council
• Liana Thompson – CEO Northern Grampians Shire Council  

“Tourism is a key sector in our regional economy, and it is critically important for us to have a strategy for rebuilding following the COVID-19 event. Too many jobs and businesses are at stake for us not to act,” said Dr Tim Harrison – CEO Ararat Rural City Council.  

“Tourism is clearly one of the key sectors within our regional and local economy and it is appropriate that community and industry leaders come together to formulate an appropriate response to bring the Grampians region positively and swiftly out the other side of this pandemic,” said Michael Tudball – CEO Southern Grampians Shire Council.  

The taskforce may establish specific Working Groups to respond to issues that will be identified at weekly meetings. The taskforce will also record minutes of all actions and decisions and report to the Grampians Tourism Board of Directors.  

Grampians Tourism is continually monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic with local, state and federal authorities. The latest information can be found on a dedicated COVID-19 page located at the Grampians Tourism website, which is constantly being updated.

The latest information can be found here: https://grampianstourism.com.au/coronavirus-covid-19-information/

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