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The Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) has announced that Madeleine Sawyer, Sustainable Destination Development Officer at Tourism Midwest Victoria, is the recipient of the 2023 Lynette Bergin Tourism Award.

A grant designed to support individuals who are dedicated to both their professional and personal growth while also making a positive impact on the Victorian tourism and events industry, the Lynette Bergin Tourism Award provides the recipient with the opportunity to receive up to $10,000 to conduct an industry-related case study, and an additional $2,000 is awarded to the recipient's employer.

With a primary goal of encouraging excellence among young professionals and newcomers in the private sector of the Victorian tourism and events industry, the Award is named in honour of Lynette Bergin as a tribute to her significant contributions and the invaluable guidance she provided to numerous newcomers in the industry.

Through this award, VTIC aims to carry forward Bergin's legacy by fostering skills and dedication within the industry.

Sawyer's project involves visiting regions across New Zealand and Scandinavia, where community-centric strategies have been at the core of destination development. Her analysis of these case studies aims to foster deeper shared knowledge and understanding of how this approach has positively impacted and improved the visitor experience, while also encouraging meaningful interactions with residents.

Advising of her expectations, Sawyer “I have been lucky enough to find a role in tourism that brings me purpose and allows me to advocate for important values to be considered in the future of tourism.

“Now, with the opportunity to complete this project, I hope to be able to share this with others to inspire an ethical, responsible, and conscious approach to the future of Victoria’s tourism industry.”

The findings of Sawyer 's project will be used to shape a range of opportunities and recommendations for destinations within Victoria. These recommendations aim to strike a balance between sustainable destination development and enhancing civic pride. By utilising the lessons learned from her exploration of best practice examples, Madeleine intends to contribute to the future of tourism here in Victoria.

“Successful and sustainable destination development can have incredible benefits for local communities, but it's not uncommon for tourism to be misunderstood.”

Sawyer will share her findings with the industry in 2024.

Image: Madeleine Sawyer. Credit: Tourism Midwest Victoria.

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