Will Hodgman,Premier
Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events
Congratulations to the all the nominees and winners* of the 2019 East Coast Tourism Awards.
The Awards celebrate the exceptional work East Coast tourism operators who help make this region such a popular destination for visitors.
The Tasmanian Government has invested heavily to support our great tourism, including in the Great Eastern Drive which has helped fuel a twenty per cent increase in visitors to the region.
Through our $72 million Roads to Support Tasmania's Visitor Economy program, $8.3 million will be invested in safety improvements and overtaking lanes between St Helens and Dianas Basin and $4.5 million for improved visitor access at Binalong Bay Road.
In partnership with the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council, East Coast Tourism, the local community and other key stakeholders, we are nearing completion of the new Freycinet Master Plan to protect this popular destination for the long term.
The 2019-20 State Budget also commits $20 million into a new Regional Loan Attraction Scheme that will provide low interest loans of up to $1 million for businesses to invest in new projects that will stimulate their local visitor economy, including on the East Coast..
We will continue to work with our world-class tourism operators to deliver new and better experiences which will maintain the momentum of growth in our important visitor economy.
*2019 East Coast Tourism Award winners;
Accommodation
Winner: Freycinet Lodge
Certificate of Merit: Apartments on Fraser, Bicheno
Honourable Mention: Bay of Fires Bush Retreat
Visitor Experience (2 winners)
Winner: East Coast Cruises
Winner: Oyster Bay Tours
Certificate of Merit: ALL4Adventure
Food, Wine, Retail
Winner: Freycinet Marine Farm
Certificate of Merit: Craigie Knowe Vineyard
Certificate of Merit: Pyengana Dairy
New Great Eastern Driver
Winner: Oyster Bay Tours
Honourable Mention: Belmont Homestead
Community Initiative
Winner: Maria Island Pledge, Spring Bay Tourism Group
Event of the Year (2 winners)
Winner: Bicheno Food & Wine Festival
Winner: Great Eastern Wine Weekend
Honourable Mention: One Night Stand
The 2019 Great Eastern Driver
Winner: Karen Skews
