Shire of Harvey endorses ‘massive’ 10-year Tourism Road Map, aims to grow $46m visitor economy

The Shire of Harvey’s visitor experience is set to take a new direction after councillors endorsed a 10-year Tourism Road Map, with residents given the opportunity to join a special taskforce. At last year’s final council meeting, councillors endorsed the Harvey Region Tourism Road Map 2031 Implementation Plan which will see the Shire of Harvey put tourism “front of mind” in the hopes of increasing its $46.8 million visitor economy output. The new Roadmap — now coined the Harvey Region Tourism Road Map 2031 — sets out six goals, objectives and initiatives aimed at increasing tourism in the region by 2031. Goals include new job positions and advisory groups, master plans for tourism precincts and increased partnership opportunities. Shire president Paul Gillett said the shire held great confidence in the Harvey Region’s untapped tourism potential. “We are committed to a prosperous future and look forward to working with stakeholders as we amplify the Harvey Region as a key visitor destination,” he said. The Shire of Harvey will also introduce a Destination Harvey Region business unit and Harvey Region Tourism Advisory Group which Mr Gillett said would implement the directions set by the new Road Map. “In direct response, we are gearing up and our new Destination Harvey Region business unit will be responsible for driving change in our approach to tourism within the Shire,” he said. Yearly, the groups will identify core tourism-based priorities to be further implemented, with nominations for the Harvey Region Tourism Advisory Group opening early this year. The Shire of Harvey website outlines the removal of a membership model from the business unit and said the unit would represent all local tourism operators, relevant businesses and key tourism events.