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This article was published on Tuesday, 20 February, 2018. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Shepparton finalist Australia Tourism awards

The Qantas Australian Tourism Awards are the industry’s premier awards program recognising outstanding industry achievement in 25 categories, and will be one of the first corporate events to be held at Perth Stadium.

The event is anticipated to attract more than 800 guests including Federal and State Ministers and industry leaders.

The finalists are determined through winning the State/Territory Award programs which celebrates the outstanding work being done by individuals and businesses in providing exceptional visitor experiences.

Greater Shepparton City Council Director Sustainable Development, Geraldine Christou said "This is a fabulous achievement to make finalists in the Australian Tourism Awards. Now we need to hold our breath and see how we go in February in Perth. I would also like to wish our local business operators The Churches good luck, as they are also finalists on the same night”.

“Council has worked strategically towards its positioning in the municipality by hosting major events, arts and sporting events. It’s exciting to know that Greater Shepparton Visitor Centre is finalist in the peak Australian Tourism Awards. We are up against some tough competition, but we have worked really hard in the last few years to put Shepparton on the map.”

Greater Shepparton Visitor Centre won gold at the Victorian Tourism Awards in November in the Visitor Information Services category, beating some well-known tourism destinations including as Phillip Island and Bass Coast Visitor Centre Network (collection of several centres), Geelong and Bellarine Visitor Information Service (several centres) and Bendigo Visitor Centre.

“Over 1.07 million visitors from outside Greater Shepparton descended on the region, generating in excess of $160 million in economic stimulation. This is a real credit to the commitment, hard work and dedication of the Economic Development team and Visitor Centre volunteers,” Ms Christou said.

The Australian Tourism Awards are the tourism industry’s peak Awards – recognising and promoting excellence in tourism. First established by the Federal Government in 1985, the Australian Tourism Awards are now owned and managed by Australian Tourism Awards Inc, on behalf of the tourism industry. A wide and diverse range of tourism businesses enter their state and territory Tourism Awards. Over 200 reach the prestigious status of becoming a national finalist.

Winners from these finalists are announced at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards Ceremony in front of an audience of their industry leaders and peers.

Qantas Australian Visitor Tourism Information Service Finalists for 2017 are:

Greater Shepparton Visitor Centre (VIC)
Swan Valley Visitor Centre (WA)
Wonders of Wynyard Exhibition & Visitor Information Centre (TAS)
Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services (NSW)
Canberra and Region Visitor Centre (ACT)
Clare Valley Wine, Food & Tourism Centre (incorporating the Clare Valley Visitor Information Centre) (SA)
Ipswich Visitor Centre (QLD)
Tourism Centre Australia (NT)