Riverboats, Bendigo Information Centre Win Tourism Awards

The Victorian Tourism Awards have been presented again late last week with the Riverboats Music Festival and Bendigo Information centre among the 30 winners.

The Riverboats festival in Echuca won the Events and Festivals award for the 2nd straight year ahead of the Warrnambool May racing carnival and the Geelong Revival Motoring Festival.

Organisers paying tribute to the fans, artists, volunteers, crew, Government and corporate sponsors who've helped the event grow since its inception in 2012.

While the Bendigo Information Centre was named the Best Visitor Information service ahead of Greater Shepparton, Geelong-Bellarine and Phillip Island-Bass Coast.

Greater Bendigo council's Director Strategy and Growth Bernie O'Sullivan said the awards recognised Bendigo's reputation as a major regional tourist destination that continued to strive for business excellence and innovation.

"I would like to congratulate all of the staff and volunteers at the Bendigo Visitor Centre and the City's Tourism and Major Events unit for their outstanding achievement in delivering a great visitor experience,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

"It is a wonderful outcome to win two awards plus a nomination and to be endorsed as leaders in promoting excellence in tourism.”

Bendigo Tourism also won the Bronze medal in Local Government Award in Tourism category - behind the Bass Coast and Greater Shepparton councils