East Coast Tourism leaders have been recognised at the region’s tourism awards.
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Bay of Fires Bush Retreat won Innovator of the Year and a merit for Best New Product, for its boutique camping experience.
Owner Anna Hoffmann said she was delighted.
“The Innovator Award shows we’re doing something that is a bit different and really exciting,” she said.
The Farm Shed Wine Centre won the New Great Eastern Driver of the Year Award. Owner and operator Subi Mead said the shed has been two years in the making.
“We profile the 20 vineyards on the East Coast and have interpretative hubs about the region and its history and then we have a hub for each of the vineyards, so you can walk around and read each of them. Then we do tastings of five different wines from five different vineyards everyday,” she said.
“There was about half a dozen finalists in our category. There were some fantastic products that we were up against and they were very worthy … The award has really spurred us on to pursue our dream.”
Freycinet Adventures were nominated as Product of the Year. Owner Nathan Cairns said the Freycinet Paddle product that won was one of the original offerings from the first owners.
“It’s been a very refined product and something they set up themselves. We added to it and changed it slightly and it has continued to improve over the years,” he said.
The award winners receive a professional development package worth $2000 each, with the Certificate of Merit receivers profiting $500 each.
Community Initiative was awarded to Spring Bay Studio and Gallery. Bay Of Fires Winter Arts Festival won Event of the Year. Nic Wardlaw won Volunteer of the year, with Ian Johnstone being voted as the 2017 Great Eastern Driver.
Freycinet Adventures Aqua Taxis, Bicheno Penguin Tours, Maria Island Great Picnic, Tasmanian Bushland Garden, and Bicheno Food and Wine Festival received Certificates of Merit.
East Coast Tourism Organisation executive Ruth Dowty said the awards were vital to encourage business excellence and innovation in tourism and recognises those who made the area a hotspot.