Victoria Tourism Awards Winners

Tourism Minister, John Pandazopoulos, has paid tribute to Victoria’s leading tourism businesses and individuals at the Melbourne Airport 2006 Victorian Tourism Awards, saying “The Awards recognise tourism businesses striving for excellence in an increasingly competitive environment”.

Winners were announced across 27 categories, ranging from accommodation and ecotourism to tourism training. Two additional awards honoured personal contributions to the tourism industry.

Three businesses were inducted into the Victorian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame for winning their category three years in a row: The Gardens Shop, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne (Tourism Retailing), Greenhouse Backpacker (Backpacker Accommodation), Slumber Safaris, Werribee Open Range Zoo (Unique Accommodation).

Six businesses won their category for the second year in a row, making them eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2007 if they win again.

The Outpost Retreat, a restaurant and accommodation venue in Noojee, West Gippsland, was recognised personally by Mr Pandazopoulos, receiving the Minister’s Encouragement Award.

Industry identity, Andrew Dwyer, received the award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual.  Andrew runs the Diamantina Touring Company, which specialises in fine food and natural history, and was instrumental in establishing the Victorian Tourism Operators Association (now Tourism Alliance Victoria) and pushing for public liability insurance for tourism operators.

The Young Achiever’s Award went to Melanie McVey, Program Manager Marketing and Tourism Development at Federation Square, for increasing their involvement in tourism.

Two new categories were introduced: Luxury Boutique Accommodation (won by Boroka Downs) and Health and Wellness Tourism (won by Mineral Spa at Peppers Springs Retreat).

The Royal Botanic Gardens scooped two awards: The Gardens Shop, for Tourism Retailing, and the Australian Garden at Cranbourne, for New Tourism Development.

Mr Pandazopoulos said he was delighted that the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games had been recognised as winner of the Major Festivals & Events category, adding “The Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games was our largest ever sporting and community event and provided a major boost to Victoria with more than two million spectators attending including thousands of interstate and international visitors”.

Another leading visitor attraction, Federation Square, won the Major Tourist Attraction category.

Fifty tourism businesses were honoured in total, either winning their category or receiving a merit or finalist placing. Nearly two thirds of recipients are from regional Victoria and nine are Victorian Government agencies.

Winners of the 2006 Victorian Tourism Awards will represent the state at the 2006 Australian Tourism Awards to be held in Sydney on 23 February 2007. Mr Pandazopoulos said Victoria and Queensland tied for the most awards this year – an excellent result for the state and proof we are a national leader.

A full list of winners is below: –

Melbourne Airport Award for Major Tourist Attractions – Winner: Federation Square

Herald Sun Award for Significant Tourist Attractions – Winner: Scienceworks

Major Festivals & Events – Winner: Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Corporation

Melbourne Airport Award for Significant Festivals & Events – Winner: Fun 4 Kids Festival

Parks Victoria Award for Ecotourism – Winner: Phillip Island Nature Park

Heritage & Cultural Tourism – Winner: Immigration Museum

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism – Winner: Koorie Heritage Trust

Tourism Victoria Award for General Tourism Services – Winner: Mornington Peninsula Tourism

Meetings & Business Tourism – Winner: Geelong Otway Tourism

City of Melbourne Award for Tourism Retailing – Winner: The Gardens Shop, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne  (Hall of Fame)

Major Tour & Transport Operators – Winner: Melbourne Day Tours (Australian Pacific Touring)

Significant Tour & Transport Operators – Winner: Go West Tours

Adventure Tourism – Winner: Bayplay Adventure Tours

RACV Award for Destination Promotion – Winner: Mornington Peninsula Tourism

Tourism Product Marketing – Winner: Melbourne Aquarium (Monsters of the Deep)

Media – No winner

Tourism Education & Training – No entrants

Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services – Winner: Dracula’s Cabaret Restaurant

Crown Award for Tourism Wineries – Winner:Gapsted Wines

Tourist & Caravan Parks – Winner: Melbourne Big 4 Holiday Park

Sustainability Victoria Award for Backpacker Accommodation – Winner:           Greenhouse Backpacker (The Friendly Group)  (Hall of Fame)

Hosted Accommodation – Winner: Woodlands Rainforest Bungalows

Unique Accommodation – Winner: Slumber Safaris – Werribee Open Range Zoo  (Hall of Fame)

Standard Accommodation – Winner: Miami Hotel Melbourne

New Creation Print Award for Deluxe Accommodation – Winner: Crown Promenade Hotel

Victoria University Award for Luxury Accommodation – Winner: The Westin Melbourne

Award for Luxury Boutique Accommodation – Winner: Boroka Downs

RACV Award for New Tourism Development – Winner: Australia Garden – Royal Botanic Gardens

Award for Health and Wellness Tourism – Winner: Mineral Spa at Peppers Springs Retreat

Qantas Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual – Winner:       Andrew Dwyer

3AW Young Achiever’s Award – Winner: Melanie McVey

Minister’s Encouragement Award – Winner: The Outpost Retreat

Report by The Mole