City takes another tourism honour

BUOYANT tourism operators across the region are expecting a bumper summer after Bendigo won silver in the Top Tourism Town category of Australia’s Top Tourism Awards 2024.

It confirms the city’s spot as a world-class, year-round destination that offers historical settings, quality food, beer and wine, unrivalled galleries and retailers, and free or low-cost family friendly attractions.

The Award – which Bendigo was automatically nominated for after winning gold in the Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards in July – was open to locations with a population of over 5000 people.

The competitive submission process was assessed based on a written and video itinerary of the region, online user reviews and a public vote.

The video submission briefly showcased Central Deborah Goldmine, the Great Stupa, the Golden Dragon Museum, Masons, Ms Batterhams, Alium Dining, Treacy Patisserie, Balgownie Estate, Ulumbarra Theatre, the Bendigo Art Gallery, the Djaa Djuwima Gallery, Chancery Lane plus surrounding parks and gardens.

Bendigo Tourism chair Kath Bolitho said the accolade proves the city deserves to sit at the pinnacle of domestic tourism in Australia.

“We’ve been at this level a number of times, so our consistency is really good,” she said.

“The award builds on the credibility of what we do here.

“Industry-wise we’re recognised as professional, always developing and doing our best to stay two steps ahead of a lot of other places.

“Also the fact that there was a public vote (involved) and a review of customer satisfaction is really important because there’s some feedback legitimacy attached to it.”

Ms Bolitho said there’s a certain civic pride element to the honour, in that locals may feel extra motivated in promoting the region to friends and family who live elsewhere.

“It’s a really important market to Bendigo and if our residents can show them all the great things we’ve got, that has an incredible impact on our economy,” she said.

Bendigo won silver at the Top Tourism Town Awards in 2022 and took the 2024 Wotif Aussie Town of the Year award.

Find Bendigo’s submission for the awards on the Australia’s Top Tourism Towns website.