WHITSUNDAYS IN TOURISM SPOTLIGHT

The Whitsundays region won four of the tourism industry’s top accolades at Friday night's 2006 Queensland Tourism Awards, with 15 finalists also recognised during the gala evening.

Tourism Minister Margaret Keech said the Whitsundays tied with the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane, each region securing four awards – behind the Gold Coast and Tropical North Queensland with six wins.

“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 said.

“I must congratulate the tourism operators in the Whitsundays for their outstanding efforts and results this year.

“They are a tribute to the region and together have helped to accommodate, transport and entertain hundreds of thousands of domestic and international visitors every year.

“Two Whitsundays operators – Fantasea Cruises and Hahn Premium Hamilton Island Race Week – won their categories for the third consecutive year and were appropriately honoured with entry into the Hall of Fame, an outstanding effort.

“To be invited to join the Hall of Fame requires tremendous commitment by the recipient and an ongoing delivery of the highest standard in service and product provision – no mean feat in such a competitive and valued industry.

“Fantasea Cruises’ Reefworld won the Significant Tourist Attraction category, a very popular category attracting 10 nominations in total from around the state, and the Hahn Premium Hamilton Island Race Week took out the Significant Regional Festivals and Events award.

“The Big 4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort won the Tourist and Caravan Parks award category and Ocean Hotels’ Long Island Resort won the top spot in the Standard Accommodation category.”

The Gold Coast and Tropical North Queensland topped the state with six awards each on the night, the Outback received two wins and one each was won by the Fraser Coast South Burnett and Townsville regions.

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.

Around 1,200 tourism leaders and representatives attended the prestigious 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 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)