GLADSTONE RTO TWO-TIME FINALIST

Tourism Minister Margaret Keech congratulated Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Ltd for twice being named a finalist at Friday night’s 2006 Queensland Tourism Awards.

Mrs Keech said the regional tourism organisation was a finalist for its Bass to Barra Trail in the Tourism Product Marketing category and for its Gladstone Regional Holiday Planner in the Media category.

“In addition, GeckoValley was also named a finalist in the Tourism Wineries category, which was won by Murdering Point Winery in Tropical North Queensland,” she said.

Mrs Keech said five nominations had been received from the Gladstone region.

“The Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Ltd should be very proud of its achievements as there was a high standard set from around Queensland this year in all the 28 categories featured at the awards,” she said.

“The organisation is to be commended for its excellent nominations and being recognised in two significant categories integral to promoting and marketing the region in order to attract domestic and international visitors to Gladstone.

“The Queensland Tourism Awards recognise the best of the best and it was inspiring to see so many worthy entrants and so many delighted and enthusiastic winners and finalists in a diverse range of categories.”

Around 1,200 tourism leaders and representatives attended the gala awards ceremony to celebrate and commemorate excellence in the industry, held this year at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Mrs Keech paid tribute to the organisers of the event – Tourism Queensland and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council – as well as the 13-member Judging Panel and the sponsors for ensuring the gala evening was a huge success.

“This is the 10^th year that QR’s Traveltrain Holidays has provided its support and

backing to the awards and we were delighted that they joined as our principal partner this year,” she said.

“All Queensland winners will now progress to the Australian Tourism Awards on 23 February 2007.

“There they will fly the Queensland flag and hopefully continue our proud record at the national level and showcase Queensland as the number one destination of choice.”

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

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