Food and wine trail made easy

Published on 25 November 2013

Loddon operators in the food and wine tourism sector have been invited to sign up for a new regional initiative aimed at growing Central Victoria’s share of this burgeoning market.

Bendigo Regional Tourism plans to launch a new food and wine smartphone app and touring map to profile food and wine producers, cafes, restaurants, markets and events from across the Bendigo, Loddon, Mount Alexander and Central Goldfields regions.

This is a collaborative effort by state and local governments, with the support of regional food and wine associations.

The proposed app will actively promote operator stories and images, food and wine-themed touring itineraries, video footage on the regions involved, links to operators’ websites, details of farmers’ markets and events and more.

The map will help visitors pin-point operators, with itinerary and tour planners, member listings and cross-promotions.

Loddon Shire Tourism manager Robyn Vella said the new app and touring map offered great potential for local business people to expand their reach.

“With a planned launch date of next March, these initiatives promise great potential benefits for those businesses which join in,” she said.

“It’s just one of a continuing series of new things we’re trying to do to highlight the visitor experiences Loddon has to offer.”

To be eligible for inclusion in the app and map, operators must be members of Food Fossickers, Taste of Gold, Heathcote Winegrowers or Bendigo Winegrowers Association.

The cost is $200 and the deadline for registration is 10 December.

Loddon Shire is a partner in Bendigo Regional Tourism and a major sponsor of Food Fossickers.

For further enquiries, please phone Council’s Tourism Department on 5494 1200.