THE Mildura Rural City Council has voted in favour of continuing its partnership with the Murray Regional Tourism Board for another three years after positive economic returns.
The current Memorandum of Understanding with the MRTB is due expire on June 30 next year and as part of the continued partnership Mildura Rural City Council will contribute close to $70,000 annually for three years.
Recent data demonstrated that the Mildura LGA benefited well over $300,000 in economic value through the partnership in 2022-23.
Formed in 2010, the Murray Regional Tourism Board was created to establish an overarching organisation to contribute to the development and growth of tourism in the region.
The MRTB is a cross-border organisation, owned and funded by 13 councils bordering the Murray River including the Mildura, Wentworth and Swan Hill councils.
Some of its strategic pillars include leveraging domestic and international distribution for regional tourism projects such as Mildura Light State and Cruising the Murray Strategy, acting as the region’s key link to industry and government during significant events and supporting the delivery of training programs and tourism forums to regional operators.
At a recent presentation to councillors, MRTB noted their achievements through the 2022-23 financial year such as crisis communication and industry support through the flood event, the Digital Literacy Project, and the development of the Destination Management Plan for “The Murray”.
Council acknowledged there was significant value in their participation on the MRTB including the continuation of a cross-border approach to tourism and its direct economic benefits.
They said the annual contributions from the council would allow the work being undertaken to continue, providing a clear picture of the region’s tourism environment going forward.
