THE Victoria Tourism Industry Council Has crowned Ballarat the state\u2019s Top Tourism Town.<\/p>\n
Judges and a public vote decided the city would be receive the honour, which came under the 2023 Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards.<\/p>\n
Ballarat was celebrated for the visitor experiences it offers, from what\u2019s delivered by tourism operators, to what\u2019s served up by hospitality venues.<\/p>\n
The city will now go in to contest Australia\u2019s Top Tourism Town Award at Parliament House in Canberra in September.<\/p>\n
Owner of Lydiard Street\u2019s Cobb\u2019s Coffee, Brendan Wrigley, was included in the city\u2019s submission to the awards process, led by former tourism board Ballarat Regional Tourism.<\/p>\n
He said the local \u201cculture and hospitality sense\u201d has advanced hugely in recent years, and that he loves to create an enjoyable experience for his customers.<\/p>\n
\u201cYoung people like myself are excited to contribute to their town,\u201d he said. \u201cI think that\u2019s a really positive thing and it\u2019s making Ballarat a better place to live.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe concept of the third space, which exists outside of home and the workplace, is something that really resonates with me.<\/p>\n
\u201cUltimately, people love to feel acknowledged, and I think great coffee shops do this better than just about any other space.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the coming years, I see this town going from strength to strength, and I\u2019m excited that we get to be a part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ballarat was last named Victorian Top Tourism Town in the inaugural awards in 2021, but mayor Cr Des Hudson said residents \u201calways knew Ballarat was the best city to visit.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is incredible to have this acknowledged at the annual awards,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing so close to Melbourne, Ballarat is an ideal short-stay destination for\u202fart and\u202farchitecture lovers,\u202fnature-seekers,\u202ffoodies, and families.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy not invite your friends and families to visit and show them what wonderful things our city has to offer?\u201d<\/p>\n
Ballarat Regional Tourism has recently been absorbed by new regional board, Tourism Midwest Victoria, and its chair John Pandazopolous said the award proves Ballarat has the \u201cright ingredients to a perfect escape.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis win is a recognition of the talented businesspeople and their staff who make up our region’s visitor economy ecosystem,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s our people who make Ballarat and Midwest Victoria what it is, and whose innovation, creativity and friendliness continually gives visitors a compelling reason to visit, and to return time and time again.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Victoria Tourism Industry Council Has crowned Ballarat the state\u2019s Top Tourism Town. Judges and a public vote decided the city would be receive the honour, which came under the 2023 Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards. Ballarat was celebrated for the visitor experiences it offers, from what\u2019s delivered by tourism operators, to what\u2019s served up […]<\/p>\n