ALPINE Resorts Victoria (ARV) has secured a $550,000 grant through the Victorian Government’s Visitor Servicing Fund to develop a ‘one-stop’ digital platform for visitors.
According to ARV, the funding supports a $1 million project that will streamline resort entry sales, and provide real-time insights on weather, roads and car parking conditions.
From a single platform guests will be able to make travel plans based on live resort information and book online entry permits for the resort of their choice.
“The new digital platform will offer an innovative technology driven solution that will make a real difference to trip planning for visitors, especially those new to the alpine experience,” ARV chief executive officer Amber Gardner said.
“Through this project we are looking at how we can access real-time information about resort entry purchases and subsequent access and capacity, better enabling us to adapt operations to reflect current visitation levels.”
According to ARV, alpine resorts have experienced record winter visitation levels in recent years, with years of investment in new methods for managing ski fields ensuring visitors enjoy longer, more consistent seasons.
The platform will improve the arrival experience of guests by assisting visitors in dispersing across the Victorian resorts and improve safety with the provision of resort-specific safety information.
“The benefit of the amalgamated resort system is that we can now help guests access the best of every resort and ensure a streamlined visitor experience from planning and research through to their arrival on the mountain,” Ms Gardner said.
Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes announced the grant under stream B of the Visitor Servicing Fund last month.
According to the Victorian Government, stream A of the program has provided grants of up to $50,000 to nine Regional Tourism Boards and local councils, including Yarra Ranges Tourism, and Strathbogie Shire Council.
“The fund will help to connect visitors to the alpine region’s attractions, local businesses and encourage them to spend more and stay longer by providing high-quality, personalised and timely information about what to see and do around Victoria,” Ms Symes said.