An annual event gave an opportunity for the East Coast community to celebrate its successes.
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East Coast Tourism chief executive Ruth Dowty said the annual Great Eastern Driver awards recognised the coast's leading operators with a record crowd of 159 people at the award gala dinner.
She said the awards played a vital role in encouraging business excellence and innovation in tourism, while recognising those who help make the East Coast a must-visit destination.
"A large pool of entrants and record attendance at the event reflect the growing investment East Coast businesses have in delivering a quality visitor experience," she said.
"All finalists have good reason to be proud of what their business has achieved and we congratulate each and every one of them."
Premier Will Hodgman and Lyons Liberal MP Guy Barnett attended the awards event and congratulated all nominees and winners for their efforts.
"The awards celebrate the exceptional work East Coast tourism operators who help make this region such a popular destination for visitors," Mr Hodgman said.
"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."
The award gala dinner took place on Saturday, July 15 at Freycinet Lodge.
For more information about the awards, visit eastcoasttourism.com.au/awards.
GREAT EASTERN DRIVER AWARD RECIPIENTS
ACCOMMODATION
- WINNER: Freycinet Lodge
- CERTIFICATE OF MERIT: Apartments on Fraser
- HONOURABLE MENTION: Bay of Fires Bush Retreat.
VISITOR EXPERIENCE
- WINNER: East Coast Cruises and Oyster Bay Tours
- CERTIFICATE OF MERIT: ALL4Adventure
FOOD, WINE, RETAIL
- WINNER: Freycinet Marine Farm
- CERTIFICATE OF MERIT: Craigie Knowe Vineyard and 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
- WINNER: Bicheno Food and Wine Festival and Great Eastern Wine Weekend
- HONOURABLE MENTION: One Night Stand
2019 GREAT EASTERN DRIVER
- WINNER: Karen Skews