GREAT BARRIER REEF TOP NOTCH

The Great Barrier Reef’s prestigious international tourism award is well deserved, says Tourism Minister Margaret Keech

The Reef took out the international Tourism for Tomorrow award for Best Destination at this year’s Tourism for Tomorrow Awards held in Lisbon, Portugal on Friday night.

The award was one of only four issued by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) at its 7th Global Travel & Tourism Summit.

Award winners included:

Destination Award – Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Conservation Award – Aspen Skiing Company, USA
Investor in People Award – Nihiwatu Resort, Indonesia
Global Tourism Business Award – Lindblad Expeditions, USA & Global

Mrs Keech said the award was significant recognition for the combined efforts of governments, industry bodies and operators who continued to address environmental concerns affecting the Great Barrier Reef.

“I congratulate the Great Barrier Reef Marine Authority (GBRMPA) and all those tourism operators who work so hard to protect the Great Barrier Reef. This award is a tribute to your ongoing collaborative efforts,” Mrs Keech said.

“This award is equivalent to the movie industry’s Oscars.

“The Great Barrier Reef is a unique and precious resource for Queensland, Australia and the world.

“As a tourism attraction, the Great Barrier Reef is one of Queensland’s most important and iconic visitor destinations.

“Each year millions of domestic and international visitors come to Queensland to experience the allure – the sheer magic of the Reef, generating up to 50,000 regional jobs and pumping $5 billion into our state’s economy.

“We face increasing pressures on our environment and it is vital we do as much as possible now to ease conditions that can impact negatively on sensitive areas.

“The Beattie Government has made a strong commitment to the protection of the Great Barrier Reef and sustainable tourism through several major initiatives including the Queensland Tourism Strategy.

“This strategy will ensure Queensland’s reputation as an internationally competitive tourism destination long into the future.”

Media contacts: Jo Gibbons 3225 1005/0421 611 989 or Louise Yates (Tourism Queensland) 3535 5349 / 0419 713 176.