IT WAS a night of celebration, fun and recognition when the very best in East Coast tourism came together on June 15.
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The 2015 East Coast Regional Tourism Awards recognised the hard work and dedication of businesses and organisations across the region.
As more national and international visitors than ever before add a trip to Tasmania's East Coast onto their holiday schedule, businesses are working hard to keep up with the demand.
With 26 entries received for seven different categories, it was a competitive but fun night for all who attended the awards at the White Sands Estate.
Having spent the past 25 years working in the local tourism industry, Bicheno Penguin Tours owner Paul Male was the winner of the Outstanding Contribution by an individual to the Tourism Industry award.
Mr Male said it was a surprise, but it was nice to be recognised.
"The awards get people together so at the same time as recognising people for their efforts, they're also about networking and introducing people to each other," he said.
"I think most people in Tasmania would be very proud of our tourism industry.
"When we first started Bicheno was a little fishing village with a few shacks, but tourism has changed a lot in Tasmania is the past 25 years."
The only other peer nominated award of the night, the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania People's Choice Award, went to Wineglass Bay Cruises. East Coast Tourism chief executive Ruth Dowty said the awards brought the entire region together to celebrate excellence on the East Coast.
"It actually allows people to have a voice, to talk about their products and to benchmark themselves against their peers.
"There's just some wonderful products and it's just a groundswell of excitement."
The 2015 East Coast Regional Tourism Award winners were:
Standard Accommodation: Sandpiper Ocean Cottages at Bicheno
Self-Contained Accommodation: Dragonfly Lodge at Rocky Hills
Self Contained Accommodation certificate of merit: The Storekeeper's Boutique Accommodation at Buckland
Caravan Parks: Triabunna Cabin and Caravan Park at Triabunna
Food and Wine Tourism: Freycinet Marine Farm at Coles Bay
Food and Wine Tourism certificate of merit: Ironhouse Brewery at Four Mile Creek
Tourism Attractions/Experiences/Tour Operators: Freycinet Adventures at Coles Bay
Events and Festivals: Bay of Fires Winter Arts Festival
Outstanding Contribution by an individual to the Tourism Industry: Paul Male at Bicheno Penguin Tours
TICT People's Choice Award: Wineglass Bay Cruises at Coles Bay