Rebranded as the Great Eastern Drivers, the awards added a new dimension by presenting winners with the chance to further improve their business through professional development. 

East Coast Regional Tourism Organisation chief executive Ruth Dowty said the awards evening had been consensually dubbed “the best one ever”.

“In years gone by we've given a nice little certificate and a plaque and we've helped people to enter in state awards if they wanted to as a follow-on to winning a regional award,” Ms Dowty said.

“This year we've said we want to work with them on professional development and so for every winner we're spending up to $2000... to help them further their business and do things they need to do to help their business grow.” 

The Great Eastern Driver award was taken out by Carrie Wallis, while Bicheno Food and Wine Festival was named Event of the Year.

The evening also celebrated a number of new tourist operations and operators, recognising Edward Thompson as Young Great Eastern Driver of the Year and Bay of Fires Eco Tours as the New Great Eastern Driver of the Year. 

Ms Dowty said it was encouraging to see new operations seizing the opportunities presented by an ever-growing East Coast tourism market.

“What we're finding is that over the course of the last four years there are a number of new businesses that have popped up which is great to see.

“The tourism market is growing and they're seeing where the opportunities lie and evolving their business to suit.”

Bay Fires Eco Tours director Alisha Roper welcomed the evening’s results, which also saw the one-year-old family business pick up a certificate of merit in the product of the year category. 

“We live in an absolutely stunning part of Tasmania and it's our pleasure to be able to share this breathtaking coastline with visitors from all over the world,” she said.  

East Coast Cruises, Big4 St Helens Holiday Park and Bicheno Community Development Association Inc. also took out awards on the night.