More than $500,000 will be set aside for event attraction and acquisition while the budget also allows for $350,000 attract new exhibitions to Bendigo Art Gallery.

Council director of strategy and growth Bernie O'Sullivan said the COVID-19 pandemic had a direct negative effect on the region's visitor economy.

"We can't quantify this in dollar terms, travel restrictions have had a direct negative impact on the visitor economy because we have little or no visitors to visit our tourism businesses, such as cafes, shops and accommodation providers," he said.

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Mr O'Sullivan said about 70 per cent of the $500,000 set aside for the visitor economy would go to retaining events in the Bendigo region.

"The annual budget always allows for event retention and then the balance for new events," he said.

"At present, the split is in the order of 70 per cent retention and 30 per cent new business, because we value business retention more than new business.

"We are always negotiating new opportunities in various sectors, sport and leisure, food and wine, arts and culture, business events and conferencing, agricultural events and car club tours.

"This year we aim to be active and effective in all of these portfolios with the addition of new activity in events that celebrate gastronomy."

The Bendigo Art Gallery has established a reputation for attracting unique and exclusive exhibitions.

"The city allocates funding for exhibition attraction at Bendigo Art Gallery each year, in order to continue to secure high quality and often Australian-exclusive exhibitions and maintain its reputation as one of the leading art galleries in Australia," Mr O'Sullivan said.

Mr O'Sulivan said council was working with businesses to share new ideas and ensure they can adapt their models for when they re-open.

"Work is being done to build new product offerings in the area of 'drive tourism' and nature-based experiences, along with collaborating with our iconic attractions to help them be ready to host visitors once restrictions are lifted," he said.

"Marketing campaigns will focus on the domestic market as we prepare for a very competitive environment for intra-state and interstate visitation."

Mayor Cr Margaret O'Rourke said there was no doubt coronavirus restrictions had been a massive blow to food, retail and accommodation providers, and event organisers.

"Our tourism and major events unit has been working hard behind the scenes to make sure that as soon as we are allowed, we can re-start our fabulous year-round calendar of events that bring so many people to Bendigo," Cr O'Rourke said.

"Our gallery exhibitions are hugely important to bring people to our great city and region, and we have to continually invest in attracting high quality exhibitions.

"Our designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy also opens up many opportunities to showcase Bendigo and the region and attract visitors."