hot springs wins eco tourism award

Peninsula Hot Springs collected gold in the Eco Tourism category at the RACV Victorian Tourism Awards on Thursday 24th November.

The awards evening was held at Palladium Crown in Melbourne with over 900 tourism industry members in attendance. The awards are designed to encourage businesses to exceed industry standards and to highlight innovation and initiative. They are supported by major sponsor RACV, the Victorian Government and the Victoria Tourism Industry Council and include 32 categories.

This is the second year that Peninsula Hot Springs has won this category after previously entering the Hall of Fame for Best Tourist Attraction and Health and Wellness Facility.

Peninsula Hot Springs CEO Charles Davidson said the win was “recognition of the dedication to connect our guests with nature and to celebrate the environment we are in”.

Since the land was purchased in 1997, over 40,000 native and indigenous plants and trees have been planted onsite. “Our commitment to integrating the natural landscape is an essential aspect to the operation of the Peninsula Hot Springs”, Charles stated.

Home to over 70 different species, Peninsula Hot Springs places a great emphasis on maintaining and improving the landscape for the local wildlife. Over the last few years, six lakes have been constructed solely for ‘The Cups Bird Sanctuary and Wetlands Project’, which provides a prime habitat for local birds.

Five Mornington Peninsula tourism operators won gold in the 2016 RACV Victorian Tourism Awards, and will now represent Victoria at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in Darwin in February.

“It is terrific to see the industry embrace the spirit of co-operative competition and come together to celebrate the best Victoria has to offer.” Executive chair of the Mornington Peninsula Regional Tourism Board Tracey Cooper said. “As our industry continues to evolve it is pleasing to see new businesses and first time entrants participate. These awards play a critical role in the peninsulas growth as a tourism destination, and it is terrific to see the region represented in such a positive and prolific way.”

Congratulations to the other Peninsula based winners and finalists for 2016 which were:

GOLD

Harmony Bed and breakfast – Hosted accommodation Lakeside Villas at Crittenden – self-contained accommodation The Wellness Manor – new tourism business Green Olive at Red Hill – excellence in food tourism awards for the third consecutive year and now enters the RACV Victorian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame

SILVER

Moonlit Sanctuary – tourist attractions Mornington Peninsula Regional Tourism – destination marketing

BRONZE

Crittenden Estate – Tourism wineries, distilleries and breweries

FINALIST

McClelland Scuplture Park and Gallery – cultural tourism Bay Fish n Trips – Tour and transport operators