Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine

28/08/2025

Attention tourism operators, creative professionals, and event leaders: Applications are now open for the RMIT Global Power Generation (GPG) Regional Innovation Accelerator, an opportunity to expand your business within the visitor economy sector.

Whether you're looking to develop new visitor experiences, revive cultural assets, or use technology to engage new audiences - this free 10-week program is designed to help you connect, grow, and make lasting impact on your community.

What's included:

✔️ Expert mentorship to help you grow your business

✔️ Warm introductions to valuable industry connections

✔️ Induction into a supportive innovation community

✔️ The chance to pitch for a $10,000 prize pool

The program is open to startups, small businesses and social enterprises.

Applications close 7 September, with the program to run from 23 Sep to 20 Nov, with a showcase event to be held 27 Nov.

This program is run by RMIT Activator in partnership with Global Power Generation.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/partner/hubs/activator/gpg?utm_source=External&utm_medium=Outreach&utm_campaign=GPG

19/08/2025

✨LEARNING OPPORTUNITY✨Accessibility is not just a human right, it's also a smart business decision.

In fact, Tourism Research Australia's (TRA) latest report on Accessible Tourism in Australia found the accessibility market accounted for 1 in 5 trips taken last year, equating to 70.5M trips (22% of the total) and $29.2B in spend!

Which begs the question: Are you ready to unlock the potential of Australia's accessible tourism sector?

If your answer is yes, then our upcoming Tourism for All: Accessibility in Action workshop is for you!

Led by Ryan Smith, Founder and CEO of The Access Agency, workshop attendees will:

✔️Learn the main barriers to access for visitors with disabilities

✔️Be introduced to the three pillars of accessible tourism: accessible spaces, inclusive practices, and communicating accessibility

✔️Prepare a customised accessibility roadmap to help improve access and inclusivity of your tourism product + more!

RSVP here: https://events.humanitix.com/accessibility-workshop?_gl=1*13r60wn*_gcl_au*MTA2NzkyNTczNi4xNzU0ODc0MTQz*_ga*NTM0NzgyNzQ1LjE3MDY4MzI1Mzg.*_ga_LHKW5FR9N6*czE3NTU1NjI3MTIkbzQwNSRnMSR0MTc1NTU2NDAwNCRqNjAkbDAkaDA.

12/08/2025

🏆MEDIA WIN 🏆Guess what? We've crunched the numbers and we are stoked to announce that our marketing team has secured nearly ✨$11 million✨ worth of earned media coverage for Geelong and The Bellarine in FY 24/25 - a new record for our organisation!

We scored prime TV spots such as live weather crosses on CH9, glossy magazine spreads and digital features in Australian Traveller, Holidays with Kids and Explore, as well as glowing write-ups in major newspapers across the country. The coverage has cemented what we already know: that Geelong and The Bellarine is a place to do not simply see.

08/08/2025

On Monday, our Board donned hard hats for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre construction site, witnessing firsthand the progress being made on the project.

Once complete in 2026, Nyaal Banyul will be the country's first convention centre designed from inception with Traditional Owners and driven by a zero - carbon strategy.

Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre is funded by the Australian and Victorian Government and the City of Greater Geelong through the Geelong City Deal. It is being delivered by Development Victoria with Plenary Group as consortia lead and Built as head contractor.

The venue will be operated by the Victorian Convention and Event Trust.

30/07/2025

Join our friends over at Novotel Geelong for their annual charity lunch on 13 Aug!

Attendees will enjoy a delicious 2-course lunch with drinks, and will hear from Guest Speakers including Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre GM Rick Aylett as well as C-Suite Executive Felicia Mariani.

All proceeds will go towards the Give Where You Live Foundation.

Tickets here: https://www.novotelgeelong.com.au/GWYLCharityLunch

30/07/2025

✨FUNDING OPPORTUNITY✨ If you have big plans for your business, the $25,000 Morris Business Grant could be the boost you need to bring them to life!

The grant, delivered by Morris in collaboration with the Geelong Chamber of Commerce, can be used to invest in new equipment, expand your offering, upgrade technology or build the capability of your team.

To be eligible your business must be a small-med sized business with 1-50 employees; be operating within the Greater Geelong region including Surf Coast, Golden Plains or Borough of Queenscliffe Shires and hold a current ABN.

Apply now: https://www.geelongchamber.com.au/morris-business-class-grant/

28/07/2025

28/07/2025

✨EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST✨Keen to get involved in the 2026 Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (MFWF)? Now's the time to put on your thinking caps and prepare your Special Event submission.

The festival's Special Events program is an exclusive opportunity for bars, cafes, producers, and retailers to help develop a unique and extraordinary event concepts that showcase the diversity of Victorian produce and celebrate the joy of hospitality.

Our marketing team will be working alongside festival organisers this year to ensure our region is well represented in the festival program. If you're interested in submitting an event or would like to learn more about getting involved, then make sure you contact our marketing team by emailing marketing [at] tourismgeelongbellarine [dot] com [dot] au.

25/07/2025

🙌HAVE YOUR SAY🙌 Tourism operators across Geelong and The Bellarine are invited to join Visit Victoria for an industry forum to help shape Visit Victoria 2030 - an organisational strategy for the next five years.

DETAILS
📅 Wed 30 Jul
🕰️ 10am - 12pm
📍 Novotel Geelong, 10-14 Eastern Beach Road

Register your attendance here: https://events.humanitix.com/visit-victoria-2030-consultation-geelong

24/07/2025

Thanks for the shout out Alison Marchant - Member for Bellarine ❤️✨

Well done Portarlington- Bronze in the 2025 Victorian Top Small Tourism Town 🎉 at the
Victoria Tourism Industry Council - VTIC Awards tonight!

Thank you to all who voted!

Amazing to get the nomination and recognition from Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine

23/07/2025

🥉Portarlington secured BRONZE at the Victorian Top Small Tourism Town awards last night!🥉

Thanks to everyone for voting, and thank you to the local operators who work tirelessly to create the kind of experiences that people remember and come back for time and time again.

Team Tourism is pictured below collecting the accolade.