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Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher tonight welcomed more than 1,000 of Victoria’s leading tourism businesses and operators to the 28th RACV Victorian Tourism Awards at Crown in Melbourne. Ms Asher said the awards continued to attract a record number of entrants each year, which was testament to the industry’s ongoing growth and success. “Tonight is a celebration of Victoria’s best industry leaders and innovators and I congratulate all of the winners for helping make Victoria a premier tourism destination, contributing to the state’s $15.9 billion tourism industry and sustaining a tourism workforce of around 204,000 Victorians,” Ms Asher said. “The Coalition Government has opened up our national parks to environmentally responsible low-scale development, has launched the China Tourism Strategy, which will aim to increase Victoria’s share of the lucrative Chinese tourism market from its current 7 per cent to 11 per cent by 2020 and has seen Melbourne increase in interstate visitation as a result of the ‘Play Melbourne’ campaign launched last year. It is these initiatives that will ensure our tourism industry grows. ”There were 140 entrants across 32 categories for this year’s awards, including record numbers from the Great Ocean Road, the Murray and Victoria’s High Country,” Ms Asher said. Highlights of the awards include: V/Line winner of Major Tours and/or Transport Habitat HQ, being inducted into the Hall of Fame Award for Backpacker Accommodation Great Ocean Road Surf Tours, winning the Award for Adventure Tourism Crown Metropol, winning the Luxury Accommodation Award Peninsula Hot Springs, winning the Award for Tourist Attractions and inducted into the Hall of Fame Award for Health and Wellbeing Tourism Fowles Wine Cellar Door & Cafe, winning the Award for Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries Max’s at Red Hill Estate, being inducted into the Hall of Fame Award for Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services 12 Apostle Helicopters, winning the Award for Tour and Transport Operators Moonraker Dolphin Swims, winning the Ecotourism Award;and Jeremy Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Ballarat’s Sovereign Hill was named winner of the Qantas Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual Award. -2- Visit www.premier.vic.gov.au for more news Five businesses were inducted into the RACV Victorian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame for winning their category for three consecutive years. They are Melbourne Museum, Queen Victoria Market (Suzuki Night Market), Peninsula Hot Springs, Max’s at Red Hill Estate; and Habitat HQ. For a full list of winners and finalists visit www.victoriantourismawards.com.au |
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Andrew Hobbs Photography Mobile 0414525688 |
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Andrew Hobbs Photography Mobile 0414525688 |
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