Tourism peaks

By Kath Gannaway
THE Yarra Valley’s tourist profile was at a peak last week, with two major tourism awards paying tribute to the best in the business.
At the 2009 Victorian Tourism Awards in Melbourne, De Bortoli Winery and Restaurant and the National Trust’s Gulf Station volunteers took out awards.
De Bortoli Winery and Restaurant won the Crown Award for Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Boutique Breweries and was inducted into the Victorian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame as a winner of the category for three consecutive years.
They also received a Merit Award in the 3AW Award for Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services.
The Gulf Station volunteers were recognised for their contribution to the historic farm property, taking out the RoyalAuto Award for Outstanding Contribution by Volunteers.
More than 90 tourism operators from around the Yarra Valley and The Dandenongs were hailed for outstanding achievements at the inaugural Regional Tourism Excellence Awards dinner held on Wednesday night.
Chairman of Yarra Valley and The Dandenongs Marketing, Dale St. George, said the tourism industry had made an outstanding contribution and shown inspirational courage in a particularly challenging year to ensure the region remained strong.
The Yarra Valley Open Studios event held around the Yarra Valley in September was among the winners, taking a Gold Award in the New Tourism Development category.
Other Gold Award winners were A Tour with Taste in tourist activities, Monreale Estate in Hosted Accommodation, The Country Place in Meetings and Business Tourism and De Bortoli Yarra Valley Estate in Food and Wine Tourism.
Open Studios spokesman Tim Peel said the award was the icing on the cake after an extraordinary first year.
“We set out to put arts on the tourism map for the Yarra Valley, and with a great team we’ve exceeded all our expectations to set up what we hope will continue to be one of the premier arts events for the region,” he said.
“This award for the 2009 Open Studios is a win for every artist in the program,” added Mike Emmett, marketing co-ordinator. “We had such a good product to offer the public in our artists, that our job was really one of packaging and taking to an audience."
Member for Seymour, Ben Hardman paid tribute to De Bortoli saying it was fitting they were recognised for the leadership role they play in the state’s tourism sector, and to the volunteers at Gulf Station.
“It is also fantastic to see the long term dedication and effort put in by volunteers to preserve and continue the traditions of Gulf Station recognised,” he said.
“These volunteers put in many hours restoring and maintaining the historic homestead and farm.