By Tania Martin
HILLS tourism operators gathered to spread the Christmas cheer last week.
More than 82 people celebrated the end of a tumultuous year with a traditional Yuletide dinner at Grants on Sherbrooke.
The Dandenong Ranges Tourism (DRT) members and volunteers took the chance to reminisce over the year that was 2009.
DRT information centre manager Michael Axel said this year had been far from easy but tourism was continuing to grow in the region. He said the year started in a shadow as many battled to avoid the global financial crisis.
“Just as we thought we had avoided the worst of the predictions, we were struck with the disastrous February fires,” Mr Axel said.
Mr Axel said despite the heroic efforts of the emergency services and the recovery work, the scars of the fires would remain for many years.
Despite these setbacks, Mr Axel said the Dandenongs continues to be a favourite destination for many tourists.
He said despite this year’s disastrous fires, the industry was growing steadily.
However, Mr Axel said the concentration on the potential fire risk this summer had an effect on visitor numbers.
He said the risk should never be down played.
But Mr Axel believes tourism operators and residents are more prepared now than they have ever been.
He wished everyone a merry Christmas and safe new year.
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