Aireys in top town ballot

AIREYS Inlet is encouraging Surf Coast residents to vote twice this week.

The Surf Coast hamlet is once again a finalist in the Victorian Tourism Industry Council’s top town awards, which showcase regional centres offering exceptional and unique visitor experiences across the state.

VTIC calls on public votes to decide winners for its annual awards night.

Aireys is one of six finalists in the “Tiny Tourism Town” category for towns of less than 1500 people, alongside Fingal, Flinders, Mount Macedon, Noojee and Timboon.

The sub-1500 category is a new addition to the top town awards. Aireys was last year a finalist in the under 5000 division, which Port Fairy won.

The winner of this year’s category would receive an airtime package worth $5000 from the Prime Seven television network and a feature slot on travel podcast Storytowns for promotion as a tourism destination.

The VTIC competition spruiked Aireys’ blend of coastal landscapes and earthy adventures as reasons for its nomination.

“Nestled between the drama of Victoria’s Surf Coast and the majesty of the Great Otway National Park, Aireys Inlet is committed to its natural ‘ocean meets bush’ lifestyle,” VTIC said.

VTIC chief executive Felicia Mariani said the awards aimed to support the state’s tourism industry.

“Every tourism business has worked so hard to survive the past two years. It’s the perfect time to acknowledge what regional towns and centres have done to revitalise their tourism experiences and welcome visitors back,” she said.

A public vote is open until May 31, before state winners are announced at a VTIC awards ceremony in July.

Winners of the Victorian categories will progress to the national awards for judging later this year.