Visitor Information Centres

Victorian Accredited Visitor Information Centre Network Reference Group

Above: The VIC Reference Group, October 2012

Visitor Information Centres (VIC) are designed to enrich the experience of visitors to a region and to encourage them to stay longer. This is achieved through informing the visitor of what to do and see and where to stay. Research on VICs in Victoria, New South Wales and Canada has shown that VICs increase the amount of money visitors spend in a region and they contribute to dispersal. VICs are often, but not always, funded through local councils.

VTIC facilitates the Victorian Accredited VIC Network Reference Group, which meets bi-monthly to discuss issues affecting the management and operation of accredited VICs across the state. The Victorian Visitor Information Centre (VIC) Reference Group represents Victoria’s 73 accredited VICs, providing a united voice and working to ensure their continued growth and sustainability. With support from Tourism Victoria, VTIC coordinates the Reference Group and helps it to implement its business plan initiatives.

The Reference Group includes a VIC representative from each Regional Tourism Board region.

The Chair of the VIC Network Reference Group is Faith Damm of Corryong VIC. The Deputy Chair is Tim Booth of Ballarat VIC.

Branding

The yellow "i" sign with the blue background that you see above is a registered trademark and can only be used by an accredited VIC. The accreditation program for Visitor Information Centres (VICs) in Victoria is managed by ATAP, the Australian Tourism Accreditation Program. Accreditation through this program allows VICs to use the yellow italicised "i" symbol, the nationally recognised trademark, by adhering to risk, quality control and customer service principles. VTIC manages the "i" brand trademark on behalf of Tourism Victoria and also works closely with ATAP in relation to the VIC Network.

For further information on accreditation, contact ATAP on 03 9620 4199 or email info@atapvic.net.au.

Do you need to brand your VIC?
Download a copy of the VIC Brand Style Guide to ensure you use the "i" sign correctly.

VIC Summits

First held in 2001, the VIC Summit is held annually and aims to:

• Provide the VIC network with updates on key issues affecting the management of Visitor Information Centres;
• Provide a forum to share knowledge, practical experiences and future innovations;
• Strengthen relationships and networks amongst individuals, businesses, regions and local areas where tourism is a key economic driver;
• Provide a forum to examine the business values and practices needed to remain competitive and to provide professional visitor information services; and
• Encourage ongoing support for sustainable tourism growth in Victoria.

Previous summit locations:

2001 – Ballarat (Goldfields)
2002 – Shepparton (Murray)
2003 – Phillip Island
2004 – Lorne (Great Ocean Road)
2005 – Beechworth (Victoria’s High Country)
2006 – Halls Gap (Grampians)
2007 – Murray (Swan Hill)
2008 – Marysville (Yarra Valley)
2009 – Bendigo (Goldfields)
2010 – Warrnambool (Great Ocean Road)
2011 – Geelong (Great Ocean Road)
2012 - Melbourne
 

Accredited Visitor Information Centres in Victoria

There are currently 73 accredited VICs right throughout the state. These are listed below:

Find and contact your nearest accredited Visitor Information Centre
www.visitvictoria.com lists each of the accredited Visitor Information Centres and their contact details. Click here to find out further information.

Purchase products for your VIC
VTIC sells items to help promote your VIC. They are:

• VIC "i" sign flags
• VIC "i" sign button badges
• Enamel "i" sign pins

Download a copy of our Product Price List to place your order.

Have you joined the Victorian VIC online social network?
Following on from discussions held at the 2010 VIC Summit in Warrnambool, the VIC network now has created a Facebook page! This page allows the VIC network to interact online and provide a central meeting point for exchange of destination specific information, enable VICs to discuss issues and concerns amongst the network, share images and in particular upload images of the most recent OVGs.  

If your VIC would like to join this group, it would be advisable to set up your VIC as an individual user, not as a group and use your VIC's generic email address. The group is called Victorian Accredited Visitor Information Centres and will be strictly member access only. If you have any queries about how to set a page up, please contact Tim Booth from the Ballarat VIC by emailing TimBooth@BALLARAT.vic.gov.au.

Requesting bulk brochures
For information on how to request bulk quantities of Victorian tourism-related brochures, please go to the Tourism Victoria website.