On November 20, Melbourne Airport celebrated five years as the premier sponsor of the Victorian Tourism Awards, wishing 'best of luck' to the tourism businesses from across Victoria who were in the running for the 2006 awards.

The awards, held at Crown's Palladium Ballroom the same day, were the premier accolade for tourism businesses in Victoria, recognising tourism excellence and innovation in this state.

The winners of the Victorian awards go on to represent the state at the Australian Tourism Awards to be held in February 2007.

Airport CEO Chris Barlow said Melbourne Airport was proud to be celebrating its fifth year as the premier sponsor of this prestigious event, and that the awards were critical to showcasing the best in Victorian travel and hospitality.

"The Melbourne Airport Victorian Tourism Awards provide fantastic peer recognition for the work undertaken by thousands of tourism businesses in Victoria, and present an opportunity for our state's businesses to be showcased on a national stage," said Mr Barlow.

"We are proud to be playing such a key role in the awards, and believe our support is an indication of our strong commitment to the growth of Victorian tourism," he said.

Mr Barlow said the airport's commitment to this growth was cemented with its current AU$500m expansion program, which includes a major facelift of the international terminal.

This program would help to ensure the continued growth of tourism to this state, particularly in the valuable international traveller market.