Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher today announced $12,500 in funding to support the tourism marketing of major exhibitions at the Shepparton Art Museum during 2013.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher tonight welcomed more than 1,000 of Victoria’s leading tourism businesses and operators to the 28^th RACV Victorian Tourism Awards at Crown in Melbourne.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher today presented the winner of the first Crown Oaks Day race with the Visit Victoria Plate, in recognition of the Victorian Coalition Government’s sponsorship of the Spring Racing Carnival and its importance to Melbourne’s retail, fashion and textile manufacturing and tourism industries.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher announced today that Melbourne has secured 14 association business events in the first quarter of 2012/13, which will generate a forecasted $27 million for the Victorian economy.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher today announced that one of regional Victoria’s premier food and wine events will receive $35,000 in Coalition Government funding through Tourism Victoria’s Events Program.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher today announced $75,000 in funding for events across regional Victoria under the Country Victoria Events Program (CVEP).

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher today announced that next year’s Mornington Peninsula International Pinot Noir Celebration will receive $10,000 in Coalition Government funding and the Colour the Sky Festival at Rosebud will receive $4,500 to support tourism on the Mornington Peninsula.

Tourism and Major Events Minister Louise Asher today welcomed Emirates Airlines’ first flagship Airbus A380 service for Victoria which touched down at Melbourne Airport today. Melbourne is the second Australian destination for Emirates A380 services.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher and Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chief Executive Officer Andrew Westacott today announced the event results for the 2012 Formula 1™ Qantas Australian Grand Prix and the 2011 IVECO Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

Premier Ted Baillieu announced an historic aviation deal for Victoria today, with China's Sichuan Airlines to launch its first Australian flights to Melbourne.

The Melbourne Cup Carnival has long been regarded as Australia's premier thoroughbred racing, fashion and cultural event and its profile is set to grow following the Victorian Coalition Government's Super Trade Mission in China.

The Victorian Coalition Government has allocated $20,000 towards this year's Marysville Sparkling Wine Festival following its success last year and to further raise the profile of the region as a leading food and wine destination.

Tourism and Major Events Minister Louise Asher today launched the Melbourne Tourism Industry Exchange and Melbourne's first official visitor iPhone App at Federation Square, as part of Victoria Tourism Week celebrations.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher today welcomed delegates from India and Australia to the India Mega Famil and Workshop 2012, being held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) this week.

New research has shown that most visitors to the Victorian towns of Marysville and Eildon had travelled to support and witness the towns' recovery from the devastating bushfires of 2009.

The nature and wildlife experiences of Phillip Island exceed the expectations of visitors, a new survey from Tourism Research Australia has found.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher today announced the 19th Congress of the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM) 2015 will be hosted in Melbourne.

The Victorian Coalition Government will reform current policy to allow appropriate environmentally sensitive, private sector tourism investment in national parks.

Premier Ted Baillieu and Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher today welcomed the decision by Network Ten and Shine Australia to bring MasterChef Australia to Melbourne and Victoria.

Tourism and Major Events Minister Louise Asher today announced funding of $27,500 to support tourism marketing of the 2013 Echuca's Riverboats Music Festival, fast being recognised as a signature event for the Murray Region.