SPORTS EVENTS RACE FOR TOURISM HONOURS

Five iconic Queensland sporting events are racing for honours at the 2006 Queensland Tourism Awards.

Tourism Minister Margaret Keech said today the nominated events included regional, national and international golf, motor racing, horse racing and yachting tournaments and events.
 
Sporting events are major crowd-pleasers, attracting domestic and international visitors to Queensland as enthusiastic spectators, as well as participants, organisers and officials,” Mrs Keech said.

“Sporting events tourism in Australia accounts for approximately $3 billion per annum.

“It is fantastic to see such a range of sporting events, from the Gold Coast to the Outback, being acknowledged at this year’s Queensland Tourism Awards for their value and importance to tourism in Queensland.

“The 2006 ANZ Ladies Masters and Lexmark Indy 300 - big crowd-pullers for the Gold Coast - are entered in the Major Festivals and Events category this year.

“And the Birdsville Races, Cairns Amateurs and Hahn Premium Hamilton Island Race Week are nominated in the Significant Festivals and Events category.”

The 22^nd Queensland Tourism Awards will be held on 17 November at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. They are organised annually by Tourism Queensland and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council.

Queensland Rail’s Traveltrain Holidays is principal partner for the gala evening and Jimbour Wines has come on board for the first time as Exclusive Wine Partner.

For further information, visit www.queenslandtourismawards.com.au.

Media Inquiries: David Smith 3225 1005 or Louise Yates 3535 5349 / 0403 713 176 (Tourism Queensland)