Tasmanian whisky producer receives accolades for tourism services

A Tasmanian whisky distiller has been recognised as an unsung hero of tourism for the Australian state at a recent awards ceremony.

Whisky producer Bill Lark has been credited with boosting Tasmania’s tourism industry

Bill Lark, founder of the state’s first whisky distillery, Lark Distillery, was named the Ministers’ Tourism Champion at Tasmania’s Tourism Awards earlier this week.

The Tasmanian whisky industry has received a significant boost over recent years, with more producers investing in the area.

Lark, who first began distilling whisky in Tasmania in 1992, told Australia’s ABC News: “I had absolutely no idea it would end up like this.

“The Scotch malt whisky industry is centuries-old and to think that we could have achieved the sort of recognition that we have in the world of whisky in just 20 years is really quite staggering.”

Tasmania now has nine licensed distilleries, with many companies exporting to Europe, North America and Asia.

“We all have a strong sense that we’ve come of age,” continued Lark. “We’ve been happy to encourage other distilleries to come on board in the belief that more will create that sense of industry in Tasmania, and give us a better presence in the world market.”