victorian tourism awards 2023

Tourism North East

Media resources, industry resources, strategy + insights, 2023 victorian tourism awards: nominations close monday 5th june.

May 31, 2023

Nominations for the  2023 Victorian Tourism Awards are open now, and there are a number of resources, support programs and mentoring opportunities available to guide entrants through the application process.

Participating in the Victorian Tourism Awards is similar to going through a business planning process. The program will provide you with the opportunity to investigate key business issues and realign your business objectives, values, and positioning, and most importantly, where your business is heading in the future. There is also the prized bonus of being recognised by industry and consumers for your innovation and business excellence.

Don’t miss out: nominations close on Monday 5th June. 

CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE YOUR BUSINESS

How to enter:

There are four steps to entering the Victorian Tourism Awards:

• Nominate  your business online by Monday, 5 June – the nomination only takes 5-10 minutes. Click here   for a detailed run through of the nomination process.
• Complete the  Business Standards  and the  Accommodation Standards (if entering one of the accommodation categories) pre-assessments by Monday, 10 July
• Complete your  written submission by 12pm Monday, 28 August – made online by answering a series of questions relevant to the category entered
• Receive a judge  site visit inspection
• Nominations close  Monday 5 June 2023
• Business & Accommodation Standards due Monday 10 July 2023
• Submissions due Monday 28 August 2023

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The winners of the 2023 Victorian Tourism Awards have been crowned

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Victoria tourism spend hits record $37.8 billion – Travel Weekly

On November 30, the state’s leaders in tourism excellence came together for a spectacular gala event at Palladium Crown in celebration of the businesses and individuals who are delivering ongoing excellence in Victoria’s tourism sector.

Now in its 37th year, the Victorian Tourism Awards play a vital role in connecting businesses and encouraging collaboration, professionalism and innovation. The culmination of a year-round process, they provide an opportunity to pay tribute to all the tourism operators, experienced industry identities, volunteers and support workers who deliver ongoing excellence in the visitor economy.

Around 900 industry identities from across the state were in attendance for the event, which was hosted by broadcaster Hamish McLachlan. The proceedings kicked off with a Welcome to Country, and featured speeches by VTIC chief executive, Felicia Mariani and minister for tourism, sport and major vents, Steve Dimopoulos MP. 

Winners were crowned in 28 major…

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Home » News » VTIC announces City of Melbourne as Presenting Partner for 2023 Victorian Tourism Awards

VTIC announces City of Melbourne as Presenting Partner for 2023 Victorian Tourism Awards

The Victorian Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) has announced a partnership with City of Melbourne as Presenting Partner for the 2023 Victorian Tourism Awards.

The VTIC is the peak industry body representing Victoria’s $35 billion visitor economy and its award has supported the industry in striving for excellence for over 30 years.

VTIC CEO, Felicia Mariani, said VTIC was thrilled to align once again with City of Melbourne in delivering such a crucial program for the tourism and events industry in Victoria.

“The Tourism Awards have always been about celebrating hard work and dedication in creating quality tourism experiences,” Mariani, said.

“This has never been more important than over the past two years, when the industry has struggled under its worst challenges in living memory.

“Recognising the need to celebrate and support an industry that has meant so much to the city and to the state, in 2021 the City of Melbourne stepped up to align with VTIC and take on the position as our Presenting Partner for these important awards.

“Over the past two years, their support and partnership has allowed us to celebrate the incredible resilience displayed by tourism businesses across our state and to acknowledge business excellence exhibited by so many Victorian tourism operators.”

In 2023, the Victorian Tourism Awards Gala event will this year include a special category for the City of Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Award, which will recognise one Greater Melbourne business for their commitment to responsible tourism.

This is a unique category that has been created to specifically support the focus that City of Melbourne has placed on sustainability within their strategic priories.

Aer three decades of an awards program that recognises the best tourism products and experiences in Victoria and across Australia, the City of Melbourne is proud to join the exclusive list of prestigious organisations that have taken a prime position in partnering with this event.

“The City of Melbourne is honoured to present an inaugural award in 2023 to showcase businesses who demonstrate responsible and sustainable tourism practices,” Lord Mayor, City of Melbourne, Sally Capp, said.

International research shows this is becoming increasingly important to travellers across the globe – that’s why we want to encourage and reward this work.

“Our tourism and events businesses are at the forefront of making Melbourne the best place to live, work and visit – and we’re thrilled to celebrate an industry that has shaped the success of our city and state for the last 30 years.”

Email the Travel Weekly team at [email protected]

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Nominations open: 2023 Victorian Tourism Awards

20 April 2023

A pinnacle of excellence for our Victorian tourism industry and a premier event in the industry calendar.

For over 30 years the Victorian Tourism Awards have showcased the state’s leaders in tourism excellence. The Awards encourage businesses to meet and exceed industry standards and play an integral role in acknowledging business excellence together with outstanding innovation, industry professionalism and collaboration.

Winners and finalists are announced at an industry night of nights, the annual Gala Ceremony. Around 1,000 industry identities from across the state gather to celebrate, network and share their success with great food, entertainment and the award ceremony.

The Victorian Tourism Awards comprise 28 categories and three individual excellence categories. As a national program, winners of categories 1-25 automatically receive entry as a finalist for the Australian Tourism Awards.

Going through the awards program is similar to going through a business planning process. The Awards encourages entrants to undertake this critical process to investigate key business issues, realign the business objectives, business values, positioning and most importantly, where the business is heading in the future. In addition, there is the bonus of being recognised by industry and consumers for business excellence.

Tourism plays a vital role in Victoria’s economy, so it’s important we celebrate the individuals and local businesses that help to showcase our state and create local jobs. Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos

Entering the Victorian Tourism Awards will give your business the opportunity to:

• Benchmark  your business against peers and competitors
• Develop  an accurate overview of your business position
• Assess  and improve your business practices
• Identify  opportunities for business growth
• Receive  valuable feedback on your current business practices
• Increase  brand awareness and leverage marketing opportunities
• Gain  recognition from industry
• Highlight  to customers your aspiration and commitment to tourism excellence
• Acknowledge  the contribution of your team and motivate them to strive for excellence

How to enter?

There are four steps to entering the Victorian Tourism Awards:

• Nominate  your business online – the fee to enter the 2023 awards is dependent on your businesses level of membership with VTIC or evidence of QTA Accreditation.
• Complete a series of pre-assessment modules that may include Business Standards or  Accommodation Standards  if entering one of the accommodation categories.
• Complete a  written submission  online by answering a series of questions relevant to the category entered.
• Receive a judge  site visit  inspection if required.

Please note:

• It is recommended to review the  2023 Rules and Regulations   prior to nominating.
• The qualifying period for the 2023 Awards –  1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023. 

Find out more:

The Victorian Tourism Awards are coordinated through the Victorian Tourism Industry Council [VTIC] as part of the Quality Tourism Australia platform. VTIC also run a series of mentor and entry assistance programs to guide you through the submission process.

This article was originally published by The Victorian Tourism Industry Council

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Ballarat, Sorrento and Aireys Inlet have been crowned the best places to visit in Victoria

The winners of the 2023 TAC Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards have been announced, and some of our faves have come out on top

Looking for some regional travel inspo? You’ve come to the right place. The 2023 TAC Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards  just ran, and three very deserving winners have taken out the major categories.

Ballarat was named Victoria’s Top Tourism Town (for places with a population over 5,000), Sorrento took gold for the Top Small Tourism Town Award (for places with a population between 1,500 and 5,000) and the coastal hamlet of Aireys Inlet came out a winner for the Top Tiny Tourism Town Award (population under 1,500).

These annual awards – hosted by the Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) – recognise and reward Victorian towns that put in the hard yards to create an amazing experience for visitors by working together with local businesses, tourism operators and the local community. Seventeen outstanding finalists were competing for the prize in 2023, with townships like Bendigo , Heathcote and Red Hill South earning silver medals, and Frankston , Woodend and Jamieson achieving bronze recognition.

“Tourism is the lifeblood of our regional towns and centres across Victoria and these awards  celebrate the commitment of these destinations to delivering the very best experiences, ensuring they create magical memories for their visitors to cherish,” said VTIC chief executive, Felicia Mariani.

The three Victorian winners will now go on to compete for the coveted title of Australia’s Top  Tourism Town in their respective categories, which will be announced on September 14 at  Parliament House in Canberra. We’ll absolutely be cheering them on – and booking our visits, asap.  

And when visiting these award-winning towns, ensure you plan your pause stop  to rest and recharge. Find TAC’s stop locations  here .

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Mornington Peninsula Tourism Shines at the 2023 VTIC Victorian Tourism Awards

Mornington Peninsula Tourism is thrilled to announce its outstanding success at the prestigious 2023 VTIC Victorian Tourism Awards, where the region's tourism industry received well-deserved recognition for excellence and innovation.

Searoad Ferries achieved an exceptional milestone by entering the Hall of Fame as the Major Tour and Transport Operators, recognising their sustained excellence in providing ferry services that connect Mornington Peninsula with the Bellarine Peninsula.

Taking home the coveted Gold Award in the Tour and Transport Operators category is Hop It , a testament to their dedication to providing exceptional experiences that captivate visitors and showcase the best of Mornington Peninsula.

Red Gum BBQ claimed the Gold Award in the Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services category, reinforcing their commitment to delivering culinary excellence and contributing to the region's reputation as a gastronomic haven.

Adding to the accolades, Alba Thermal Springs and Spa secured the Silver Award in the New Tourism Entrant category. Mornington Boat Hire received Silver for Adventure Tourism and Bronze for Cultural Tourism, highlighting the diverse range of experiences available in the region.

Peninsula Hot Springs , a finalist in Cultural Tourism, and Arthurs Seat Eagle , a finalist in Major Tourist Attraction, demonstrated their ongoing commitment to offering unique and immersive experiences, contributing to the richness of the experiences on the Mornington Peninsula. 

Sorrento Beachside Visitor Information Centre was honoured with the Silver Award, showcasing its dedication to providing invaluable information and enhancing the overall visitor experience.

Angela Cleland, Chief Executive Officer of Mornington Peninsula Regional Tourism, expressed her gratitude and excitement about the remarkable achievements. She stated, "We are immensely proud of the Mornington Peninsula's tourism industry for its well-deserved success at the 2023 VTIC Victorian Tourism Awards. These accolades are a testament to our local businesses' hard work, dedication, and creativity in providing exceptional experiences that make our region a standout destination. We look forward to continuing to showcase the unique charm and attractions that Mornington Peninsula has to offer to visitors from near and far."

The VTIC Victorian Tourism Awards celebrate excellence and innovation in the state's tourism industry, acknowledging businesses that contribute to the growth and success of Victoria as a premier tourism destination. Mornington Peninsula Regional Tourism congratulates all winners, finalists, and participants for their outstanding contributions to the region's vibrant and diverse tourism landscape.

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Victorian Tourism Awards 2022

Published: 8 December 2022

The state’s iconic tourism accommodation, attractions and experiences and staff have shone bright at the Victorian Tourism Awards, held at CENTREPIECE, Melbourne Park in December.

Hosted by the Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC), more than 950 tourism and events operators came together to honour individuals and businesses from across the state that showcase business excellence and performance in Victoria’s tourism industry.

Awards across 31 various tourism categories were up for grabs, with over 100 entrants striving for the gold awards.

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne Cable Park and the Alexandra Hotel were inducted into the prestigious Hall of Fame after winning gold in the same category for three consecutive years.

Other big winners on the night included Adventure Park Geelong, taking home gold in the Tourist Attractions category, and the 2022 Tesselaar KaBloom event, which attracts 70,000 visitors to the small town of Silvan in the Dandenong Ranges each year winning in Major Festivals and Events.

Geelong Gallery claimed the Cultural Tourism prize, while Healesville Sanctuary collected the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Tourism Experiences award.

The night was also a momentous occasion for DJSIR’s very own Stuart Toplis, Manager of Industry Support within the Tourism and Events Group who was awarded the prestigious VTIC Chairman’s Award.

Stuart was recognised for his excellent work supporting the tourism industry through response and recovery from emergencies for many years. We are thrilled his passion and commitment to the industry has been acknowledged.

DJSIR is delivering support for the state’s tourism sector. The Visitor Recovery and Reform Plan serves as a whole-of-state strategy, with a goal of achieving $35 billion in annual visitor expenditure and generating 300,000 jobs by June 2024.

For a full list of 2022 Victorian Tourism Awards recipients visit VTIC.

We acknowledge the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Country throughout Victoria, their ongoing connection to this land and we pay our respects to their culture and their Elders past, present and future.

© 2023 Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions

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Victorian Tourism Awards Gala

Victorian tourism awards gala 2023., 30 november 2023 at palladium at crown.

Ticket sales are now open. Click the link below for more information on prices and times.

Other Events

Serving up skills thanks to chisholm institute.

“Serving up skills” to work confidently in the hospitality industry. These courses are booked to start November 16th in Dandenong and November 30th in Frankston, but read more and enquire for other dates

Partners In Wellbeing – Small Business Support Program

Kim Kleinitz, VTIC Member and Business Owner of Jetty Road Retreat, Nungurner VIC

Bunnings Trade

VTIC and Bunnings TRADE have joined for a VIP PowerPass. Register for more exclusive details and prices

Finance Workshop for Tourism Operators

Vtic with the Support of DJPR Victorian Government brings a new workshop on Finance literacy and support relevant to small business in the Visitor Economy. This is a program for operators in the Greater Melbourne Region.

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College Sports | No. 4 Gators enter NCAA Regionals hoping best…

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College sports | no. 4 gators enter ncaa regionals hoping best is yet to come.

GAINESVILLE — Another close call to Oklahoma and the end of the Trinity Thomas era capped Florida’s 2023 season in gymnastics.

A program reset was inevitable. A massive overhaul was possible.

Instead, coach Jenny Rowland’s squad beat the odds and remained elite.

“It’s been very fulfilling to see this team go from point A to to where we are today,” she said.

The next step will be the hardest.

Florida is no shoo-in to advance to the NCAA Championships April 18-20 in Ft. Worth, Texas, despite missing out just twice (2000, ’19) in the event’s 41-year history. During this weekend’s Gainesville Regional, the No. 4 Gators will need one of their better efforts to secure one of two spots among nine teams, including No. 5 Utah, No. 10 Michigan State, No. 13 Missouri and No. 20 Georgia.

“You have to be on your A game,” Rowland said. “For this competition usually it’s not your A-plus game. It’s go and hit and who can hit the best. The Gators have consistently done that all season long, so not expecting anything less.”

At their best, the Gators scored a season-high 198.1 points to beat No. 3 LSU on Feb. 23 in Gainesville. A week later, UF bettered the performance with a 198.225 at No. 6 Kentucky to edge the Wildcats by .125.

But a disappointing fourth-place finish during the star-studded SEC Championships, behind LSU, Kentucky and No. 7 Alabama, highlighted the sport’s razor-thin margin for error and Florida’s abundance of youth.

“How you respond and move forward … separate the great teams from the good teams?” Rowland said. “There were some mistakes. They weren’t big mistakes, but something that I don’t always mind because it makes you a little hungry.

“This team definitely came back ready for some more.”

The have the pieces in place to make another postseason run.

Veteran Leanne Wong, who tied for fourth in the SEC’s all-around competition, is the Gators’ anchor; 2022 Georgia transfer Victoria Nguyen, who tied for sixth, has proved to be another veteran presence; and Anya Pilgrim, who tied for eighth, headlines a freshman class featuring six newcomers.

Sloane Blakely, a junior who finished 12th all-around, rounds out a quartet capable of producing a score to reach the NCAAs Super Six for fourth straight year and possibly challenge for Oklahoma for UF’s first team title since its three-peat (2013-15).

The Sooners nipped the Gators at the wire by .125 points in 2022 and .150 in ’23, when Thomas suffered a leg injury during the regional meet that limited her to the vault and uneven bars a season after she won the NCAA’s all-around title.

The end of Thomas’ college career and freshman phenom Kayla DiCello’s departure to focus on training for the Olympics left Rowland facing a rebuild.

But Nguyen’s development and Pilgrim’s season-long evolution have solidly filled the gaps.

A specialist in the uneven bars and balance beam at Georgia, Nguyen has become a top all-around performer primarily because of her strides in the vault. Meanwhile, Pilgrim has become a force, highlighted by a perfect 10 during the floor exercise at Kentucky.

“It’s been so fun to watch Anya compete,” Nguyen said. “Every week, she just seems to have this aura that glows even brighter. You can tell that she puts in the work in the gym.”

The Gators hope their hard work produces results at the right time. If nothing else, the 2024 season has shown the strength, resilience and staying power of Rowland’s program.

“I know a lot of people were like, ‘Oh, this is the rebuilding year,'”  Nguyen said. “But it doesn’t have to be rebuilding year. The girls have shown that.

“I’m excited to see where we can go from here.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at [email protected]

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University of Victoria Reveals 2023-24 Varsity Athletics Awards Finalists

The University of Victoria unveils the finalists for the 2023-24 varsity athletics major awards, building anticipation for the winners' announcement at the annual Celebration of Champions on April 10th at UVic's Farquhar Auditorium. The Vikes' national championship tally reaches 88, and Canada West conference titles grow to 125, with notable achievements in women's field hockey, women's rowing, and men's golf.

• 88 national championships and 125 Canada West conference titles
• Women's field hockey team secures its fifth-consecutive U SPORTS banner
• Winners to be revealed at the annual Celebration of Champions on April 10th

No significant counterarguments or complexities are identified.

• Finalists for the 2023-24 varsity athletics major awards announced
• Recognition of outstanding team and individual accomplishments at the Celebration of Champions
• Nominations for various categories, including Athlete of the Year and Chancellor's Award, reflect exceptional achievements

The winners of the awards will be revealed at the annual Celebration of Champions on April 10th, marking the culmination of the varsity athletics season at UVic.

The University of Victoria recognizes outstanding achievements in varsity athletics, as the anticipation builds for the winners' announcement at the upcoming Celebration of Champions.

The summary of the linked article was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence technology from OpenAI

University of Victoria Athletics

Vikes announce 2023-24 varsity major award finalists - University of Victoria Athletics

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The Victorian Tourism Awards are the pinnacle of excellence in our Victorian tourism industry and the gala ceremony, a premier event in the industry calendar. 

For 37 years the Victorian Tourism Awards have showcased the state’s leaders in tourism excellence. The Awards encourage businesses to meet and exceed industry standards and play an integral role in acknowledging business excellence together with outstanding innovation, industry professionalism and collaboration. 

Winners are announced at the industry's night of nights, the annual Gala Ceremony. The event is also a great opportunity for all tourism professionals to celebrate our achievements as an industry, connect with colleagues, and have fun!

View the full photo gallery for the 2023 Gala Ceremony here . 

In 2024, the Victorian Tourism Awards Gala Ceremony will be held on Thursday 21 November at the Palladium at Crown. Save the date!

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