New tourism figures reveal Victoria is falling behind the rest of the country, with regional tourism operators paying the price for the Allan Labor Government's neglect.
The Allan Labor Government's failure to support regional tourism is costing local jobs and small businesses, with new national data revealing Victoria suffered a $595 million collapse in domestic visitor spending in the March 2025 quarter - a staggering nine per cent drop compared to last year.
This was the second-largest fall of any state in the country, and a devastating blow to the thousands of Victorians whose livelihoods rely on a thriving tourism sector across the regions.
Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport and Events, Sam Groth, said the data exposed the consequences of Labor's inaction.
"These figures show what happens when Labor takes regional Victoria for granted. Businesses from the Great Ocean Road to the Murray, the High Country to Gippsland, are doing it tough while the Allan Government does nothing," Mr Groth said.
"Its clear regional tourism is being left behind. Instead of investing in regional roads, events and visitor infrastructure, Labor is pouring money into wasteful city projects while jobs and businesses in country Victoria suffer."
"This nine per cent collapse in visitor spending isn't just a statistic it means fewer bookings in local motels, fewer meals in country pubs, and fewer customers for small tourism operators trying to keep the lights on."
The pain is particularly acute in the Grampians, where local tourism operators are still reeling from the devastating bushfires that scorched more than 76,000 hectares over summer. In Halls Gap alone, businesses lost hundreds of thousands in cancellations, and many say the Allan Government's $5000 grant is completely inadequate.
"Labor's response to disaster-hit tourism towns like Halls Gap has been a slap in the face. While Queensland flood-hit businesses were offered $25,000 grants, regional Victorians get a token payment and silence from Spring Street."
