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Wildlife Coast Cruises is the 2022 Bass Coast Business of the Year

ECO-TOURISM leader Wildlife Coast Cruises has been awarded ‘Business of the Year’ in the annual Bass Coast Awards which celebrate service excellence, innovation and resilience. Businesses in retail, food and beverage, tourism, wellness, fitness...

by Sentinel-Times

Published October 22, 2022

Wildlife Coast Cruises is the 2022 Bass Coast Business of the Year — Iconic Bass Coast tourist operators, Wildlife Coast Cruises, have taken out the top award at the 2022 Bass Coast Business Awards.

ECO-TOURISM leader Wildlife Coast Cruises has been awarded ‘Business of the Year’ in the annual Bass Coast Awards which celebrate service excellence, innovation and resilience.

Businesses in retail, food and beverage, tourism, wellness, fitness, tourism, marketing and hair and beauty were also recognised for their leadership, marketing, accessibility, inclusion and sustainability during a challenging time.

This year the community’s participation in voting for their favourite local businesses was one of the highest it has been in the awards’ 15-year history. There were 61 entrants in the judged awards and over 100 local businesses received 1,192 votes in the People’s Choice Awards.

The Awards were announced at a presentation dinner at Silverwater Resort in San Remo on Friday 21 October attended by 170 people.

Wildlife Coast Cruises, which has been operating cruises for almost 30 years around Phillip Island, Seal Rocks, French Island, Westernport and Wilsons Promontory, won the Environmental Sustainability, People’s Choice Tourism Attraction award categories as well as overall Business of the Year.

The business is proud of reducing its environmental impact as it showcases tourists our Australian Fur Seals, migrating whales, dolphins and coastal birdlife.

The judges said the tourism business was not only making amazing progress in terms of its own sustainability practices, but sharing and assisting the community, as well as other businesses.

“It is a true sustainability leader in the business sector,” they said.

Bass Coast Shire Mayor Cr Michael Whelan congratulated all the winners and finalists.

“The past couple years have been very challenging for all businesses and we are privileged in our community to have such innovative, resilient and successful businesses,” Cr Whelan said.

“Through sheer hard work, commitment to customers and passion our local businesses are succeeding and doing us all proud.”

2022 Business Award Winners

Business of the Year sponsored by Bass Coast Shire Council: Wildlife Coast Cruises
Access, Equity and Inclusion, sponsored by Westernport Water. Winner: Brinnie T Design. Runners up: Phillip Island Tenpin Bowling and Entertainment Centre
Environmental Sustainability, sponsored by Harman Wines. Winner: Wildlife Coast Cruises. Runners up: Bass Strait Direct, The Only Straw and French Island Cottage.
Resilience Award, sponsored by Bass Coast Shire Council. Winner: Balance Health Phillip Island. Runners up: My 24/7 Gym and VORTEX Surf Skate Snow.
Business Innovation award, sponsored by NBN Local Gippsland. Winner: Terralab. Runners up: Wattle Bank Farm.
Leadership award, sponsored by Silverwater Resort. Winner: Maru Koala and Animal Park. Runners up: Sunscape Solar.
Marketing and Communications, sponsored by Destination Phillip Island. Winner: Connect2 Electrical Solutions. Runners up: Bass Coast Boat and Caravan Storage.