East Coast tourism stars shine

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

/Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.