TROPICAL NORTH TOURISM WINNERS AGAIN ON SHOW

Thirteen winners at the 2006 Tropical North Queensland Tourism Awards held on Saturday will help teh region mount an all-out assault on next week's Queensland Tourism Awards.

Tourism Minister Margaret Keech said today a total of 31 TNQ tourism operators would vie for recognition with the rest of the state at the 22^nd annual Queensland Tourism Awards, in Brisbane on Friday, 17 November.

“I would particularly like to acknowledge the winners on Saturday who are also entered in the Queensland Tourism Awards,” Mrs Keech said.

“They are:

·AJ Hackett Cairns (Significant Tourist Attraction)

·Daintree Discovery Centre (Ecotourism)

·Kuku Yalanji Dreamtime (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism)

·Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises (Major Tour and Transport Operator)

·Passions of Paradise (Significant Tour and Transport Operator)

·Pro Dive Cairns (Adventure Tourism)

·Parker Travel Collection (Tourism Product Marketing)

·Bolton Print (Media)

·Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat (Unique Accommodation)

·The Lakes Cairns Resort and Spa (Deluxe Accommodation)

·Outrigger Hotels and Resorts (Luxury Accommodation)

·Murdering Point Winery (Tourism Wineries)

·The Australian Coffee Centre (New Tourism Development)

“In addition, Reef Magic Cruises, Billy Tea Bush Safaris and Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours all received Encouragement Awards on Saturday night and are also entered in next week’s state awards.

“They will all be worthy competitors in their respective categories at a state level when they join the other TNQ nominations in representing the Tropical North.”

Mrs Keech attended the awards on Saturday night at the Cairns Convention Centre.

“I was delighted to be able to attend this year’s awards and meet so many of the operators who help to attract domestic and international visitors to the region thanks to their outstanding attractions, facilities, services and experiences,” she said.

“Tourism Tropical North Queensland certainly excelled in organising and hosting the evening, which was a huge success.

“Whether at a regional or at a state level, awards serve to recognise and reward excellence and are a tremendous way to say ‘thanks’ to operators and their staff for their hard work and enthusiasm.

“All the winners next week will continue on to represent Queensland at the national tourism awards held in February next year.”

The Queensland Tourism Awards are organised each year by Tourism Queensland and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council.

Around 1,200 tourism leaders and representatives are expected to attend the gala event, which this year will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

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

Media Inquiries: David Smith 3225 1005 or Louise Yates 3535 5349 / 0419 713 176 (Tourism Queensland)

Entrants from Tropical North Queensland are: