Bass Coast Shire Council has been recognised at the Victorian Tourism Industry Council Gala Awards ceremony for its contribution to the tourism industry.
Council received the Gold award in the Local Government Award for Tourism category. Council's submission highlighted Council's role in attracting off-peak events, supporting post pandemic recovery and increased marketing efforts. The judges acknowledged the milestones achieved by the team in relation to gender equality and a dedicated focus on sustainability and the environment.
Also taking out the Silver award in the Visitor Information Services category, Council was acknowledged for the service provided and the initiatives implemented to progress our environmental and social responsibility. Some of these initiatives included free children's activities held during the school holidays, stocking local and sustainable merchandise products, participation in the TAC Pause Stop Pilot Program and provision of a mobile service.
Mayor, Cr Michael Whelan said it was a great honour to receive both awards.
"Council is extremely pleased to be recognised for our continued work in attracting events and increasing the tourism appeal of the Bass Coast.
"Bass Coast is home to iconic international tourism events and attractions, and we continue to attract both large scale and smaller, home-grown events. There really is something for everyone. It's great to see a range of events across the Bass Coast, which really helps to grow and diversify our visitor economy.
"I'm proud of the work Council is undertaking in relation to gender quality. The focus on ensuring sporting events held within our region pay equal prizemoney to all genders was a real highlight.
"We have been working closely with event organisers to integrate sustainable practices into their events and our teams have been on the ground at events, providing waste education to attendees."
"The Awards give us a chance to not only reflect on our tourism achievements within the past year but inspires us to continue to be innovative and focus on continuous improvement in the tourism sector."
Council has performed strongly in the Awards over the past nine years, frequently being named in the top of the state in both categories.
It was a fantastic year for Bass Coast businesses as well, with Phillip Island Nature Parks awarded Silver in the Ecotourism category and Harman Wines taking home Bronze in the Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries category.
"It is fantastic to see some of our incredible Bass Coast businesses acknowledged in a range of categories that showcase the diversity of tourism experiences in our region - including Bass Coast's 2019 Business of the Year Harman Wines," Cr Whelan said.
"The calibre of entrants from Bass Coast is outstanding, illustrating the professionalism of our local industry and their commitment to delivering the best visitor experiences."
