Bass Coast Shire Council proudly secured Bronze at the 2024 Victorian Tourism Awards last night in the Visitor Information Services Award category and celebrated Lucy Dewhurst as the recipient of the Young Achiever Award.
Organised by the Victorian Tourism Industry Council, the awards recognise tourism excellence and innovation, highlighting the vital role of visitor services in enhancing the tourism experience.
The Visitor Information Services Award this year acknowledged Council's role within the visitor economy, its innovative services, commitment to social and environmental responsiblity, First Nations cultural awareness and other efforts to enhance the visitor experience. Mayor Cr Rochelle Halstead expressed her pride in the achievements, noting the importance of tourism to the Bass Coast region.
"Tourism is at the heart of Bass Coast, with more than 2.9 million visitors every year enjoying our natural beauty, diverse attractions, and vibrant events," Cr Halstead said.
"Our Visitor Services team works tirelessly to ensure visitors have the best experience possible while promoting local businesses and contributing over $200,000 directly into the local economy through accommodation bookings, ticket sales, and retail."
The evening also celebrated Bass Coast Shire Council Employee Lucy Dewhurst, who won the Young Achiever Award for her exceptional contribution to the tourism industry. Lucy recently completed an external secondment with the Victorian Tourism Industry Council, where she successfully delivered the inaugural Emerging Leaders Summit. that brought together industry leaders to share their journeys and insights into the future of tourism.
"These awards celebrate the passion and commitment of our staff and the remarkable experiences Bass Coast offers visitors," Cr Halstead said.
"From our natural attractions to our world-class events, and now through the recognition of young talent like Lucy, Bass Coast continues to lead by example in Victoria's tourism landscape."
Congratulations to Harman Wines who secured Gold in the Tourism Wineries, Distilleries, and Breweries category is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the team's dedication, passion, and exceptional quality. This well-deserved recognition adds another award to their growing collection. Well done to the entire team at Harman Wines.
