Geelong and The Bellarine, you've outdone yourselves.
In a dazzling display of local talent, Geelong and The Bellarine’s tourism hotshots strutted their stuff at the 2023 Victorian Tourism Awards, and boy, did they bring home the gold – literally!
The who’s who of Geelong’s tourism scene descended upon The Crown Palladium in Melbourne for a night of glitz, glamour, and gongs. Hosted by the Victorian Tourism Industry Council (VTIC), this black-tie bonanza celebrated our region’s best and brightest, proving once again that we’re not just great, we’re gold medal great!
Keep up with the latest Victorian travel destinations, news and tips here.
Leading the charge were the fabulous folks at Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine’s Visitor Information Services, snagging the top spot in the ‘Outstanding Contribution by Volunteers’ category.
“We are so proud of both the winners and the finalists for their remarkable contributions to growing Geelong and The Bellarine’s visitor economy,” said Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine Executive Director Tracy Carter. “While we’ve always known just how special our local industry is, it’s incredibly satisfying to see our members recognised on a state level.”
The Geelong and Bellarine Visitor Information Services, powered by a whopping 63 passionate volunteers, scooped up the gold for their outstanding dedication to growing our local visitor economy. Some of these legends have been at it for 30 whole years – talk about commitment!
But the gold rush didn’t stop there! Geelong Gallery strutted its stuff and clinched gold in the Cultural Tourism category, while Searoad Ferries sailed away with top honours in the Major Tour and Transport Operators league.
And the winners’ circle extended further:
- The Woods Ocean Grove – Self Contained Accommodation
- Hop It – Tour and Transport Operators
- Accessible Accommodation – Excellence in Accessible Tourism
- Accommodation at Curlewis – 4 – 4.5 star Deluxe Accommodation
- Kerry Williams – Outstanding contribution by an individual
The Avalon 2023 Australian International Airshow also claimed silver in the Major Festivals & Events category, while Higher Mark – Geelong Cats and Adventure Park – Winter Glow Festival claimed bronze in the Business Events Venues and Festivals & Events categories, respectively.
Now in its 37th year, the 2023 Victorian Tourism Awards were the talk of the town, with almost 1,000 guests soaking in the good vibes. A massive shoutout to VTIC, City of Melbourne, Visit Victoria, Melbourne Airport, and Crown for making this extravaganza possible.
Check out the full list of winners here.
