Member for Northern Victoria Region, Candy Broad today congratulated Mildura’s Seasons & The New Spanish Bar & Grill, Emaroo Cottages and the Mildura Visitor Information and Booking Centre on being recognised for their contribution to tourism at the prestigious Melbourne Airport 2009 Victorian Tourism Awards.
Seasons & The New Spanish Bar & Grill, took out the first place in the 3AW Award for Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services category.
Emaroo Cottages and the Mildura Visitor Information and Booking Centre were finalists in the RACV Award for Deluxe Accommodation and City of Melbourne Award for Visitor Information and Services category.
“It is fantastic that these businesses have been recognised for their leadership role in the state’s tourism sector,” said Ms Broad.
“Now in their 25th year, the awards highlight the success of outstanding individuals and organisations in the Victorian tourism industry.”
“In what has been a particularly challenging year, it is the outstanding contribution of tourism operators that ensures tourism remains strong.
One hundred businesses and individuals competed for top honours in this year’s awards, including many entrants from regional Victoria.
“I am thrilled that these businesses have been acknowledged for their contribution to the tourism sector, which is so important to jobs and the economy,” Ms Broad said.
Ms Broad said tourism was vital to Victoria’s economy, contributing $15.8 billion and providing jobs for 185,000 people.
“While most other parts of Australia have seen a downturn in tourism, Victoria is showing resilience in the face of the Global Financial Crisis and the devastating Black Saturday bushfires.
“It is great to see more and more Australians choosing to visit Melbourne and regional Victoria, to experience our world-class cultural and sporting events, outstanding food and wine, shopping, theatre and beautiful villages,” Ms Broad said.
Winners of the Melbourne Airport 2009 Victorian Tourism Awards will represent Victoria at the 2010 Australian Tourism Awards in Hobart in February.