The Limestone Coast wine region, encompassing Coonawarra, Padthaday, Wrattonbully, Mount Benson, Robe and Mount Gambier is set to receive an economic boost through increased international tourist numbers, after being successful in securing funding through the Turnbull Government’s International Wine Tourism Competitive Grants Programme.
The initiative was developed by the Limestone Coast Grape & Wine Council with the support of Wine Australia and garnered support from 12 local stakeholders including Primary Industries & Regions SA (PIRSA) plus 9 of the GI registered wines zones straddling the South Australian and Victorian border. The project is also supported by the Limestone Coast Food Group, Fork & Cork Festival and the Limestone Coast Local Government Association, along with Southern Grampians Shire.
A project manager and local steering committee will oversee the initiative, with hopes the trail experiences will be firmly entrenched in travelers itineraries by mid-2020.
Member for Barker Tony Pasin has congratulated Limestone Coast Grape and Wine Council Inc. on their project, “Limestone Coast mixed dozen interactive wine trails,” which involves the development of a central consumer tool or website (with language translation) that promotes tailored visitation experiences (trails, tours and itineraries) and maximizes tourism expenditure across the Limestone Coast and Southern Grampians in neighbouring Victoria.
“This grant will help attract more international tourists to the Limestone Coast which is great news for local producers and the local economy,” Mr Pasin said.
“By enhancing the wine tourism experiences of international visitors, we are helping grow wine exports and further bolstering the Limestone Coast’s excellent wine reputation at an international level.
“It is essential we show our visitors a great time and they get to enjoy a first-hand our premium food and wine in the place it is made.
“The local wine region has a great story to tell and we want to tell it to the increasing number of international visitors who are making the trip to Australian shores to enjoy South Australian wines,” said Mr Pasin.
The International Wine Tourism Competitive Grants forms part of the Coalition Government’s $50 million Export and Regional Wine Support Package, a three–year strategy to increase the value of wine exports to a record $3.5 billion and attract an additional 40,000 international tourists to Australian wine regions.
