Region’s operators shortlisted in Victorian Tourism Awards

MORE than a dozen tourism operators from across the Geelong region are shortlisted among the best in the state in this year’s Victorian Tourism Awards.

The annual awards, run by the Victorian Tourism Industry Council (VTIC), are the pinnacle of excellence for the state’s tourism operators
and service providers, as well as a premier event in the industry calendar.

Now in their 37th year, the Victorian Tourism Awards recognise winners in 28 categories and three individual excellence categories.

The 15 local businesses and events named as finalists, listed below in alphabetical order, are:

• Accessible Accommodation
• Accommodation @ Curlewis
• Adventure Park – Winter Glow Festival
• Avalon 2023 Australian International Airshow
• BIG 4 Aireys Inlet
• Geelong Gallery
• Go Ride A Wave Victoria
• Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism
• Great Ocean Road Resort
• Higher Mark
• Hop It
• ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 (partially held at Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium)
• Port Fairy Folk Festival
• Searoad Ferries, and
• The Woods Ocean Grove.

Of the 15 finalists, 10 are Tourism Greater Geelong and the Bellarine (TGGB) members, and TGGB congratulated them for “flying the flag for Geelong and the Bellarine” in an email update to its subscribers.

In 2022, 12 local tourism operators received either gold, silver or bronze awards or were highly commended as finalists, including Adventure Park Geelong (Tourist Attractions – Gold), Geelong Gallery (Cultural Tourism – Gold), The Woods Ocean Grove (Self Contained Accommodation – Gold), and TGGB (Tourism Education and Training – Gold).

A panel of industry leaders appointed by the chair of judges and VTIC judge the Victorian Tourism Awards.

VTIC says it aims to appoint a panel that will comprise a cross-section of tourism industry professionals, including former award winners.

The Victorian Tourism Awards will be presented at a gala ceremony at The Palladium at Crown Melbourne on November 30.

As part of a national awards program, winners in the first 25 categories will automatically receive entry to compete at the Australian Tourism Awards, to be awarded in March 2024.

For more information, head to vtic.com.au/victoriantourismawards