The Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Action, the Hon. Steve Dimopoulos MP, officially opened the 2024 snow season at Mt Buller today while simultaneously revealing the key economic findings of a research study commissioned by Alpine Resorts Victoria (ARV).
The Economic Contribution & Benefits of Victoria’s Alpine Resorts report from SGS Economics & Planning, reveals the sector contributes $2.14 billion to Victoria’s overall annual economic activity.
The six alpine resorts of Falls Creek, Mt Hotham, Mt Buller, Mt Stirling, Mt Baw Baw and Lake Mountain – all contribute to a diverse range of economic benefits for regional areas including over 12,000 regional jobs.
But that’s not all, the report reveals the $2.14 billion annual economic output includes $1.33 billion annual expenditure by visitors and that the private sector investment sits at $4 per $1 of government investment. The regions receive 1.38 million annual visitors.
ARV CEO Amber Gardner said Victoria’s alpine resorts had much to celebrate.
“Today there is great cause for excitement for our resorts as Mt Buller marks 100 years of skiing”, she said.
“The longevity of our industry as represented by that milestone, along with the new report’s findings of the industry’s significant and positive contribution to the lives of Victorians are also good news for our alpine resorts now and into the future.”
Ms Gardner said the report provided much-needed data about the critical role alpine resorts play in regional visitor economies.
“Each year nearly 1.4 million visitors enjoy the alpine environment’s broad offering of nature-based tourism experiences, sustaining thousands of on-mountain businesses and making a significant contribution to the economies of surrounding towns in regional Victoria”, she said.
“In the High Country alone, the resorts account for a third of total visitation to the region, so act as the economic backbone of regional communities.”
