Tuesday, November 16, 2010

VICTORIA'S TOURISM HEROES REVEALED



Victoria’s leading tourism businesses and individuals have been honoured at the RACV 2010 Victorian Tourism Awards.

Congratulating all of the entrants, Tourism Victoria’s Chief Executive Mark Stone said the awards are instrumental in encouraging a dynamic and competitive tourism industry.

“Victoria’s tourism industry is a national leader, thanks to the drive and innovation of individuals and businesses that strive for excellence and quality.

“These awards celebrate the achievements of all those who have worked so hard to make Victoria a world-class tourism destination.”

Mr Stone said 131 tourism operators competed in the 26 business categories, with another three individual and group awards.

“This was a very successful year for the awards with entries increasing by 30 per cent and a record number of submissions from first time participants.”

In a Tourism Awards first, Victorians were also given the opportunity to determine the winners of two new RACV People’s Choice Awards for Guest Satisfaction and Service.

Mr Stone said tourism was vital to Victoria’s economy, contributing $15.8 billion each year and providing jobs for 185,000 people.

“Expenditure in regional Victoria by domestic overnight visitors has increased to almost $4 billion for the year ending June 2010, which goes a long way in supporting local economies and creating jobs.

“This is on top of nearly $300 million that international visitors spent outside Melbourne in the past year.”

Six businesses were inducted into the Victorian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame at the ceremony for winning their category for three consecutive years:
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
Old Melbourne Gaol – Crime and Justice Experience
Bunyip Tours
Destination Gippsland
Holmesglen Tourism Event and Hospitality Programs
Ovens Valley Motor Inn

Winners of the RACV 2010 Victorian Tourism Awards will represent Victoria at the Qantas 2010 Australian Tourism Awards in Perth in March. Winners list attached.

Melbourne Airport Award for Major Tourist Attractions
Winner: Melbourne Museum (Melbourne)
Merit: Melbourne Aquarium (Melbourne)

Herald Sun Award for Tourist Attractions
Winner: Scienceworks (Melbourne)
Merit: Rhyll Trout & Bush Tucker Farm (Phillip Island)

Skybus Award for Major Festivals & Events
Winner: Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (Statewide)

Victoria University Award for Festivals & Events
Winner: Suzuki Night Market (Melbourne)
Merit: Rochford – Yarra Valley (Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges)
Merit: Otway Odyssey Mountain Bike Marathon (Great Ocean Road)
Merit: 2009 Great Victorian Bike Ride (Great Ocean Road)

Parks Victoria Award for Ecotourism
Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park (Mornington Peninsula)

Victoria Tourism Industry Council Award for Heritage & Cultural Tourism
Winner: Old Melbourne Gaol Crime and Justice Experience (Melbourne)

HOST PLUS Award for Indigenous Tourism
Winner: Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre (Grampians)

City of Melbourne Award for Specialised Tourism Services
Winner: Mornington Peninsula Tourism (Mornington Peninsula)

City of Melbourne Award for Visitor Information and Services
Winner: Bendigo Visitor Information Centre (Goldfields)

William Angliss Institute Award for Meetings & Business Tourism
Winner: Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau (Statewide)

Destination Melbourne Award for Major Tour and/or Transport Operators
Winner: Driver Group (Melbourne)

Destination Melbourne Award for Tour and/or Transport Operators
Winner: Bunyip Tours (Statewide)

Parks Victoria Award for Adventure Tourism
Winner: Auswalk Walking Holidays (Statewide)
Merit: Bogong Horseback Adventures (High Country)

Tourism Marketing
Winner: Destination Gippsland (Gippsland)

William Angliss Institute Award for Tourism Education & Training
Winner: Holmesglen Tourism Event and Hospitality Programs (Melbourne)

3AW Award for Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services
Winner: Max’s at Red Hill Estate (Mornington Peninsula)
Merit Award: Seasons and the new Spanish Bar & Grill (The Murray)
Crown Award for Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Boutique Breweries
Winner: Rochford – Yarra Valley (Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges)
Merit: De Bortoli Yarra Valley Estate (Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges)
Merit: Bright Brewery (High Country)

Hanging Rock Winery Award for Tourist & Caravan Parks
Winner: BIG4 Beacon Resort (Great Ocean Road)


Metlink Award for Backpacker Accommodation
Winner: Habitat HQ (Melbourne)

Hosted Accommodation
Winner: Montfort Manor (Gippsland)

RoyalAuto Award for Unique Accommodation
Winner: All Seasons Houseboats (The Murray)
Merit: Bulls Cruisers (Gippsland)
Merit: Parks Victoria Wilderness Retreats Wilsons Promontory National Park (Gippsland)

Standard Accommodation
Winner: Ovens Valley Motor Inn (High Country)
Merit Award: Cave Hill Creek (Grampians)

Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau Award for Deluxe Accommodation
Winner: Emaroo Cottages (The Murray)
Merit: RACV Inverloch Resort (Gippsland)
Merit: Mantra Tullamarine Hotel (Melbourne)

Citadines on Bourke Melbourne Award for New Tourism Development
Winner: Flagstaff Hill Lighthouse Lodge (Great Ocean Road)
Merit: Trees Adventure – Tree Top Obstacle Course (Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges)
Merit: Snowy River Cycling Cycle Tours (Gippsland)

Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism
Winner: Alto on Bourke (Melbourne)

Victoria University Award for Health & Wellness Tourism
Winner: Peninsula Hot Springs (Mornington Peninsula)
Merit: Shizuka Ryokan Japanese Country Spa & Wellness Retreat (Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges)

Outstanding Contribution by an Individual
Winner: Wayne Kayler-Thomson

Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer/s
Winner: Young Tourism Network

Minister’s Encouragement Award
Winner: The Phillip Island Chocolate Factory (Phillip Island)

RACV People’s Choice Award for Guest Satisfaction
Winner: Abalina Cottages (High Country)

RACV People’s Choice Award for Service
Winner: Myers Creek Cascades (Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges)


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