Ken Hore Tourism Mentoring Program
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The Ken Hore Tourism Mentoring Program honours the contribution made by the late Ken Hore to the Gippsland and Phillip Island tourism industry. It does so by providing an annual career development opportunity to young tourism professionals or new entrants in the Gippsland and Phillip Island Tourism Industry.
The Mentoring Program provides an annual career development opportunity to young tourism professionals or new entrants in the Gippsland and Phillip Island tourism Industry.
The Mentoring Program seeks to:
- Promote skills and excellence among young people and new entrants into the tourism industry extending tourism networks and providing a broader understanding of the industry;
- Support recipients to be ambassadors for the Gippsland and Phillip Island tourism industry; and
- Contribute to the continued development and growth of tourism in Gippsland and Phillip Island;
The Program runs from March to November and will provide the successful recipient with mentoring support and opportunities that include:
- Six once-a-month mentoring session with an assigned leader in the Gippsland or Phillip Island tourism industry
- Complimentary ticket to any industry development workshops/events provided by Destination Gippsland, Destination Phillip Island and Bass Coast Shire Council
- Three familiarisation days - on Phillip Island, in Gippsland, and Melbourne at Visit Victoria and VTIC (Victorian Tourism Industry Council)
- Opportunities to directly learn and experience their area of special interest in the tourism industry (this could include appointments with business owners/managers, behind the scenes tours, hands-on experience, meetings with peak industry bodies)
The Program continues to go from strength to strength and has seen 75 participants graduate to date. The program was recognised with a Silver Award in the 2025 Victorian Tourism Awards training category.
Successful applicant/s will be selected by a panel made up of Destination Gippsland, Destination Phillip Island and Bass Coast Shire Council representatives.
Applications for the 2026 program are now closed.
Download the 2026 Guidelines and Selection Criteria here.
The cost of the program is $300+ GST for each participant. We encourage employers to pay this cost on behalf of their employees toward this professional development opportunity.
For more information contact:
Sarah Barrot
Tourism Officer
Destination Gippsland
sbarrot@destinationgippsland.com.au
Kim Storey
General Manager
Destination Phillip Island
Jenni McMillan
Visitor Economy and Events Officer
Bass Coast Shire Council
About Ken Hore:
Ken Hore had a long association with members throughout the Gippsland and Phillip Island tourism industry. He encouraged their business and personal development with his generous support and commitment to others. Ken offered a guiding hand to many of the industry's newest recruits.
Ken Hore was recognised at the 2011 Victorian Tourism Awards, receiving the award for outstanding contribution by an individual. This was truly an acknowledgement of his tourism career and his valued contribution, which included:
• Founding role as CEO of Country Victoria Tourism Council
• Chair of Sydney Melbourne Touring
• Deputy Chair of Destination Phillip Island
• Director of Yarra Valley Country Club
• Board Director of Destination Gippsland
