Powering up tourism

Increased international visitor numbers through the Lower South West are expected to follow the relocation of the Manjimup Visitor Centre this weekend.

The centre is relocating to the PowerUp Energy Museum in the Manjimup Heritage Park on Saturday.

The centre has about 35,000 visitors through the door each year and manager Samantha Hill said combining with the museum was an exciting time for the tourism industry.

“This is an impressive drawcard for the region and we’re looking forward to attracting many new international, school and local visitors,” she said.

“Come and be a tourist in your own backyard.”

Ms Hill said she expected a significant increase in visitor numbers in the coming year.

“The shire have been fabulous to us in including us in the PowerUp build,” she said.

“Everyone here involved at the centre is incredibly excited for the change.”

Manjimup Visitor Centre will operate at its Johnsons Crescent location and the PowerUp Museum on Saturday during the Manjimup Cherry Festival and then operate exclusively from the new location on Sunday.

Manjimup shire president Paul Omodei said the relocation would be a six-month trial, with the option of being located permanently after that date.

“This is a positive step for tourism in the shire,” he said.

“The visitor centre will be the gateway for the Manjimup Heritage Park, Manjimup and the region as a whole.

“I do think it will improve the visitor numbers.”

Cr Omodei said one of the primary reasons for the relocation was to promote economic growth and more jobs in the region.

The aim was also to help the various visitor centres in the region to work together to promote tourism throughout the Lower South West.

“It will prove the adage of build it and they will come,” Cr Omodei said.

“This is exciting times ahead and we’re really looking forward to it.”

Manjimup Visitor Centre hours will change to 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and 9am to 3pm on Sundays and public holidays.