GOLD COAST SHINES AT TOURISM AWARDS

Dreamworld was crowned best Major Tourist Attraction at Friday night’s Queensland Tourism Awards, giving the popular theme park three straight wins and securing entry for the second time into the prestigious Hall of Fame.

Tourism Minister Margaret Keech said the Gold Coast and Tropical North Queensland regions topped the state, each winning six awards at the gala event that saw around 1,200 people celebrate and commemorate excellence in tourism at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

“The Gold Coast maintained its standing as one of the top destinations in Australia,” Mrs Keech said.

“Other Gold Coast region winners included the Lexmark Indy 300 (Major Festival and Special Events), Dreamworld Events (Meetings and Business Tourism), Lillydale Host Farm (Hosted Accommodation), O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat (Deluxe Accommodation) and Warner Village Theme Parks’ Australian Outback Spectacular (New Tourism Development).

“A further 13 Gold Coast operators were finalists, acknowledged for the excellence of their submissions.

“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 28 award categories.”

Mrs Keech congratulated Gold Coast operators for their outstanding efforts and results this year.

“It was certainly a great tribute to the popularity and professionalism of Dreamworld that it won the Major Tourist Attraction category for the third straight year, securing another place in the Hall of Fame,” she said.

“Entry into the Hall of Fame requires outstanding commitment by the operator and an ongoing delivery of the highest standard in service and product provision – no mean feat in such a competitive and professional industry.

“Dreamworld has grabbed the challenge under Steve Gregg to constantly reinvent itself with a wide variety of new attractions to whet the appetite of tourists from across the nation and across the world.

“They are worthy winners of the major attraction award, and thoroughly deserve their second elevation into the Hall of Fame.

“Two other outstanding Gold Coast operators were honoured in the Hall of Fame - AshmorePalmsHolidayVillage and Albert River Wines.”

Other Hall of Famers this year were the Brisbane Convention and

Exhibition Centre (also winning a second place), Fantasea Cruises, Hahn Premium Hamilton Island Race Week, Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village and RACQ.

“Brisbane, SunshineCoast and the Whitsundays region each won four awards on the night with two wins from the Outback and one each from the Fraser Coast South Burnett and Townsville regions,” Mrs Keech said.

“Townsville’s BungalowBayKoalaVillage, nominated by Wildlife Enterprises, was recognised as the Best Entry of the evening and received $10,000 in publicity for its efforts.”

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 state winners 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 / 0409 496 534 or Louise Yates 3535 5349 / 0419 713 176 (Tourism Queensland)