Bendigo glows gold at tourism awards

THE City of Greater Bendigo scored three golds at the 2023 Victorian Tourism Awards in Melbourne last week, while local operators also claimed top trophies.

Greater Bendigo won the Festivals and Events, Visitor Information Services, and Local Government Award for Tourism categories.

While Balgownie Estate won in the Unique Accommodation category.

As the Bendigo Visitor Centre won for a third time in a row, the space has now entered into the awards Hall of Fame.

Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said she was proud of the local success at this year’s awards.

“The Ring Cycle festival program was an incredible feat, which produced clever and creative experiences that kept opera fans here for longer, staying in accommodation, shopping and dining out,” she said.

“The Bendigo Visitor Centre’s exceptional customer service has been acknowledged in helping tourists who visit or plan to come to the region.

“Congratulations to all the staff and volunteers on the gold award and your prestigious spot in the Victorian Tourism Award’s Hall of Fame. “This is an amazing achievement.

“Our success at the awards is attributed to a huge collective effort, which has firmly established Bendigo’s reputation as a top tourist destination that continues to grow nationally and internationally.

Cr Metcalf said she wanted to thank City staff, local tourism operators, and retail and hospitality services for their work.

“It is a wonderful outcome to win top awards at the state level and be endorsed as leaders in promoting excellence in tourism,” she said.

Bendigo Visitor Centre also was inducted into the Victorian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame after winning the Visitor Information Services award for the third year running.

Both BIG4 Bendigo Marong Holiday Park and Byronsvale Vineyard and Accommodation came away from the night with bronze awards.

State Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos, congratulated all the winners.

‘’It was a pleasure to join Victoria’s tourism industry to celebrate the many outstanding tourism businesses that play a key role in positioning our state as a world-leading tourism destination and attracting visitors from interstate and overseas to all corners of Victoria,” he said.

“Congratulations to all finalists and winners for achieving excellence in tourism and business, your contribution to Victoria’s tourism industry is so important.”

The Bendigo winners will go head-to-head against the winners of the same categories in the other states at next year’s Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.