Employment in Hume’s tourism sector is growing at a greater rate than the rest of the state, a new report to the council has revealed.
The final progress report for the council’s 2011-15 tourism strategy also shows the municipality welcomed close to 1.17 million visitors last year, generating $1.522 billion, up $300 million from 2013.
Council’s city sustainability director Kelvin Walsh said efforts to support a growing number of tourism operators, who now employ almost 5000 people, were paying off.
He said the municipality’s better known attractions, including many historic sites and wineries at Sunbury and other places, were being joined by new tourism-related operators at Melbourne Airport, Greenvale and Bulla.
‘‘Council has worked hard to promote smaller attractions in Hume that may not enjoy a large marketing budget,’’ Mr Walsh said. ‘‘When people fly to Melbourne, they land in Hume and that offers our tourism industry a great opportunity.’’
Existing operators have benefited from the chance to learn new skills and network with other businesses.
Sunbury District Grape Growers Association president Peter Simmie said the council continued to provide tourism operators with a great level of support.
Channel Nine’s Postcards travel segment will showcase Hume on July 5.
