FIVE Mornington Peninsula tourism operators won gold in the 2016 RACV Victorian Tourism Awards announced on Friday, and will now represent Victoria at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in Darwin in February.
“It is terrific to see the industry embrace the spirit of co-operative competition and come together to celebrate the best Victoria has to offer,” executive chair of the Mornington Peninsula Regional Tourism Board, Tracey Cooper, said.
“As our industry continues to evolve it is pleasing to see new businesses and first time entrants participate.
“These awards play a critical role in the peninsula’s growth as a tourism destination, and it is terrific to see the region represented in such a positive and prolific way.”
Peninsula-based winners and finalists for 2016 are:
Gold – Peninsula Hot Springs, eco tourism; Harmony Bed & Breakfast, hosted accommodation; Lakeside Villas at Crittenden, self-contained accommodation; The Wellness Manor, new tourism business.
Green Olive at Red Hill won the excellence in food tourism award for the third consecutive year, and now enters the RACV Victorian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame.
Silver – Moonlit Sanctuary, tourist attractions; Mornington Peninsula Regional Tourism, destination marketing.
Bronze – Crittenden Estate, tourism, wineries, distilleries, breweries.
Finalist – McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery, cultural tourism; Bay Fish N Trips, tour and transport operators.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 29 November 2016
