The City of Melbourne has unveiled a new visitor hub at the Queen Victoria Market, providing support to the nine million people who visit the market each year.
City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the new visitor hub will enhance the visitor experience at the Queen Victoria Market, which is one of Victoria's most visited attractions.
"Our 'red coat' City Ambassadors will be able to show visitors where to get the best hot jam donuts, delicious cheeses and all the colourful fruit and vegetables and speciality merchandise on offer at the market," the Lord Mayor said.
"Operating from the new purpose-built hub, our volunteers and staff will provide support to visitors.
"Our beloved Queen Victoria Market is the largest-open air market in the southern hemisphere and a key destination for international and domestic visitors. The new hub will showcase everything that can be experienced, from the market's fabulous traders to the market's rich heritage."
'Red coat' Ambassadors have been stationed at the market since early April and will now operate out of the new hub, on the corner of String Bean Alley and Queen Street. The hub is a repurposed shipping container extensively fitted-out to feature a range of tourist information and curated offers, as well as details on the $250 million Queen Victoria Market Precinct Renewal program.
The opening follows the City of Melbourne launching the Melbourne Visitor Hub at Town Hall in August which has now welcomed more than 35,000 visitors.
The opening of the hub at Town Hall coincided with the closure of Melbourne Visitor Centre based at Federation Square to make way for the construction on the State Government's Metro Tunnel project.
Chair of the City of Melbourne's International Engagement portfolio, Cr Philip Le Liu, said investment in decentralising tourism services was a global trend and part of Council's commitment to provide more support to visitors in more diverse locations.
"Delivering more visitor services in more locations reflects our renewed approach to visitor services across the city and will help us meet the needs of our thriving tourism industry," Cr Le Liu said.
"The new visitor hubs will provide a boost to our city's $3.7 billion tourism industry, which receives two million international visitors each year."
Queen Victoria Market Chief Executive Officer Stan Liacos said the new visitor hub is a great addition to the iconic market.
"Queen Victoria Market is a much-loved shopping and tourist destination and an icon of our city. We are very proud to be home to the new Visitor Hub and look forward to welcoming market goers with an enhanced customer service experience," said Mr Liacos
