Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa award a boost to far north Queensland tourism

Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey has congratulated Tropical North Queensland’s Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa for taking out the top Eco Resort & Spa prize at the World Travel Awards held in India last night.

“This is a great achievement for the Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa and will put the international spotlight on Queensland’s tourism industry,” Ms Stuckey said.

“The award and the recognition is a credit to Terry and Cathy Maloney’s hard work in providing ecotourism, spa and indigenous experiences for visitors to the State.

“The Newman Government’s DestinationQ strategy highlights the importance of promoting and developing ecotourism experiences and this award is a real coup for the far north Queensland industry.”

Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa owners Terry and Cathy Maloney said they were delighted their small, family-run operation in the Daintree rainforest had won a world accolade, beating other top-class resorts, hotels and spas around the globe.

The Maloneys said Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa had pioneered ecotourism along with authentic, native and organic wellness and spa experiences while offering authentic and ethical Aboriginal experiences.

“To be a winner in the ‘best of the best’ world categories is humbling, however it is also testament to the growing appreciation of experiential travel.” Ms Maloney said.

Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards (WTA) are voted on by travel professionals and consumers across the globe.

Each year, the WTA celebrate successes within key geographical regions – including the Middle East, Africa and the Indian Ocean, the Americas, Asia, Australasia and Europe. All regional winners then go into a final round of voting.

Queensland based regional winners included Hayman (Australasia’s Leading Family Resort), the Great Barrier Reef (Australasia’s Leading Tourist Attraction), qualia (Australia’s Leading Resort) and Flight Centre (Australasia’s Leading Travel Agency).

[ENDS] 13 December 2012

Media contact: Minister’s office: 3224 2002 Tourism Queensland: 3535 5010