Geelong attractions hailed at Victorian Tourism Awards

SEVERAL tourism attractions and services from Geelong region are among the winners and finalists in this year’s Victorian Tourism Awards.

Hosted annually by the Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC), the awards honour business excellence and performance within the industry.

This year, 111 submissions were made, all vying for an award across 31 various categories.

Geelong Gallery took home a Gold award in the Cultural Tourism category, and deputy director Penny Whitehead said the gallery’s second win at the annual awards was “an outstanding achievement for the entire team”.

“We are proud to represent a cultural institution that contributes to the life and well-being of our City and surrounding regions through our delivery of exhibitions, public and education programs. “The award signifies the important contribution Geelong Gallery makes to tourism through the presentation of major exhibitions that drive visitation and high spend in the region.

“Particularly following a period of economic downturn with COVID-19, our hard-working staff have worked tirelessly to ensure we deliver exhibitions that result in a positive outcome for our community, local businesses and the extended tourism sector.

“Now we head to the National Tourism Awards in March – fingers crossed!”

Tourism Greater Geelong & the Bellarine picked up two awards: Gold for Tourism Education and Training and Bronze for Tourism Marketing and Campaigns.

“I’d like to extend a huge congratulations to all of the winners and finalists, thank you for doing what you do and representing our region on the Victorian stage,” Tourism Greater Geelong and Bellarine acting executive director Tracy Carter said.

“We know our tourism industry is a pretty special bunch, and the results at the 2022 Victorian Tourism Awards is just further proof of how incredible our region is.

“It’s also quite humbling to be recognised for the work we do with the industry and in bringing visitors to the region – we love what we do.”

Elsewhere in Geelong, awards went to Splatters Cheese Bar in Geelong West, a finalist in the New Tourism Business category; and the Foo Fighters concert presented by Always Live and Frontier Touring at Kardinia Park won silver in the Major Festivals and Events category.

Other local category award winners and finalists were:

Tourist Attractions – Gold, Adventure Park Geelong

Tourist Attractions – Silver, Wildlife Wonders

Festivals and Events – Silver, Adventure Park’s Winter Glow Festival

Ecotourism – Bronze, Wildlife Wonders

Major Tour and Transport Operators – Gold, Searoad Ferries

Tourism Marketing and Campaigns – Finalist (Highly Commended): 52 Great Weekends by Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism

Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries – Finalist, Blackman’s Brewery

Self Contained Accommodation – Gold, The Woods Ocean Grove

Excellence in Accessible Tourism – Silver, Accessible Accommodation.

VTIC held the ceremony for the Victorian Tourism Awards on Thursday last week, and chief executive Felicia Mariani said the initiative showcased some of the most compelling experiences in Victorian tourism.