The Premier also announced that the Victorian Government will continue its successful partnership with the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival with a further three-year commitment to the Festival until 2016.
The Festival hub represents the 2014 festival theme of celebrating water, from the bountiful fare of our rivers and oceans to the vital role of water in food production and preparation.
Dr Napthine said that recent attendance figures showed over 400,000 people enjoyed the Festival each year, and that the internationally acclaimed event had become a destination for domestic and international tourists alike.
“Each year, Victoria is taken over by a celebration of our mouth-watering food, culinary expertise and creative and talented food and beverage industry,” Dr Napthine said. “The Victorian Coalition Government is very proud to support this event, which returned $5.6 million to our state’s economy in a 2012 assessment.”
Dr Napthine said that the line-up for the 2014 Festival included over 200 events at a range of venues all around the state, including over 70 in regional Victoria.
The Festival runs from 28 February to 16 March and includes a regional weekend from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 March.
“The regional weekend is an opportunity to get out of town and explore the wonderful offerings of Victoria’s many regions,” Dr Napthine said. “From Bright to Baw Baw, from Werribee to Wodonga, there is truly something for everybody, whether it is Rhones on the River in Nagambie or an Ice Cream Party in Yarra Glen.”
Dr Napthine said the Festival not only attracted visitors to Victoria but also showcased the state’s food and beverage industry to the world.
“With fertile soils, varied climates, innovative food producers and competitive strengths in dairy and horticulture, we have the right conditions to ensure that Victoria becomes the food bowl of Asia,” Dr Napthine said.
“The Coalition Government is doing its bit to drive business opportunities for Victorian food and beverage producers to make sure that they are able to capitalise on growing demand for their high-quality produce. “Our program of trade missions is helping Victorian exporters build and strengthen relationships with importers and food buyers in growing Asian markets.
“The food and beverage industry is a key economic driver of our economy. Victoria’s food exports last year increased by 5 per cent to $9.3 billion. In addition, the accommodation and food service industry generates over $7.6 billion in value for the Victorian economy and employs around 184,000 people.
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