From Frankston to Swan Hill and Port Fairy, these are the towns battling it out to be named VictoriaтАЩs biggest visitor drawcard.
Frankston is undergoing an image overhaul тАФ and it has its sights set on becoming VictoriaтАЩs tourism hot spot.
A revitalised city centre has helped transform the seaside area, which is also pinning its tourist drawcard hopes on attractions such as its beer and spirits trail, impressive street art, nature reserves, 10km coastline and one of AustraliaтАЩs largest sculpture parks, McClelland Gallery.
And now Frankston is among 22 towns across the state vying for the prestigious title of VictoriaтАЩs Top Tourism Town.
тАЬThis is a great opportunity to show people that the tide is turning on Frankston as a destination and that the experience people have when they visit us doesnтАЩt reflect some peopleтАЩs preconceived ideas about who we are as a destination,тАЭ Frankston City Council Mayor Kris Bolam said.
Hosted by VictoriaтАЩs Tourism Industry Council, the Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards aim to recognise both big and small regional towns that offer a variety of visitor experiences.
тАЬAfter a year being in and out of lockdown in Victoria, Victorians have developed a real love affair with the beautiful destinations in their own backyard,тАЭ VTIC chief executive Felicia Mariani said.
Public voting for the competition opens today, to helps decide which of the 22 finalists will become VictoriaтАЩs Top Tourism Town.
There are two categories тАФ top tourism town and top small tourism town тАФ with finalists spanning the state, from Ballarat to Swan Hill, Timboon, Jamieson, Beaufort, Paynesville and Port Fairy.
тАЬWeтАЩre calling on every Victorian to cast their vote and show their support for our domestic tourism industry,тАЭ Ms Mariani said.
тАЬThe sector has been rocked this year by the challenges of COVID-19 restrictions on our operations.
тАЬEvery tourism product across Victoria has been affected, and every business has worked so hard to survive the past 12 months. Now is the time for us to acknowledge what regional towns and centres have done to revitalise their tourism experiences and welcome visitors back.тАЭ
Public voting closes on May 27, and those who cast a vote will go into the draw to win a Melbourne getaway for two, including a one-night stay at the luxury W Melbourne Hotel, passes to the NGVтАЩs Winter Masterpieces exhibition and high tea at The Windsor Hotel.
