Awards and Accreditation
Tourism awards provide the local industry with both an opportunity to review and lift standards, as well as an occasion each year to focus attention on its highest achievers.
Destination managers can use the various award schemes to to help mentor businesses, as well as to raise awareness of the need to continually lift standards. Many regions run local tourism awards, which are structured in accordance with the requirements of the state and national awards. This means that, potentially, one entry may be all that is needed to take a business from local praise to winning accolades at the highest level in the country.
However, it should be stressed to operators that, primarily, the awards are a business development exercise, regardless of the possible outcome. Tourism Victoria runs a program of free regional workshops to help operators understand the requirements of the awards.
Especially in more established tourism regions, the profile and community benefits of tourism are often taken for granted. A regular event to throw the spotlight on the industry is sometimes used to sharpen industry and community focus. Mildura’s ‘Tourism Week’ is an excellent example of how a long-established tourism destination can regularly profile its importance to the local community.
Click here to learn more about Mildura's Tourism Week
Achieving an accolade in the State’s premier Tourism Awards highlights business excellence and gives businesses a valuable marketing advantage. With over 100 entrants annually, the Victorian Tourism Awards provides the opportunity to publicly recognise and showcase the states finest tourism operators for their passion, innovation and service to Victorian Tourism.
The awards encourage businesses to review, reflect and lift industry standards by benchmarking themselves against the professionals.
The Awards are submission-based along with a judge’s on-site visit. The entry questions cover all aspects of a tourism experience.
Tourism Victoria offers a group of experienced mentors that devote their time and expertise to assist operators with advice and guidance about preparing submissions. In addition, regional and metropolitan workshops are provided for participants.
It is important for all operators to keep in mind, that regardless of the outcome; the awards are a “business development exercise”, which assists in continually lifting business and industry standards.
By entering the awards you will be able to:
- Review your goals and achievements.
- Analyse your business and marketing plans.
- Review professional development needs of your business.
- Assess your sustainability practices.
- Receive valuable mentoring from industry professionals.
- Network with other entrants and the tourism industry.
- Build on your success and promote your business.
"Entering the Tourism Awards is a really daunting task ... however with the guidance of my mentor and the having the opportunity to have a 'pre-assessment' has been wonderful. I would highly recommend the mentor program as it has provided me with support and encouragement and valuable feedback". Janine Rose, General Manager, Otway Estate - Winery & Brewery
The Awards Ceremony and marketing program provides the opportunity to publicly recognise and showcase the States finest tourism operators. The partnership between Tourism Victoria and the RACV will provide additional marketing benefits for awards entrants, who will now have the opportunity to engage with RACV’s extraordinary membership base. The awards process culminates in a presentation and gala ceremony with 1,200 guests which is held in mid November each year.
For further information:
http://www.victoriantourismawards.com.au/
Accreditation
The Australian Tourism Accreditation program (ATAP) is an industry-based, externally verified program which leads operators through a structured approach to business and marketing planning. The program ensures that tourism operators meet certain criteria, ensuring they are committed to exceeding expectations with great customer service and the highest standards of business practice. With the completion of 16 elements of the program, including the development of a business plan, operators are provided with the nationally recognised accreditation tick to use in publicity material.
For further information: