200 of the State’s best vie for Queensland Tourism Awards
Published Monday, 29 October, 2007 at 04:17 PM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
More than two hundred of Queensland’s top tourism enterprises are jostling for honours in the Queensland Tourism Awards 2007, presented by Queensland Airports Limited.
Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Minister Desley Boyle said the number and quality of entrants had risen since 2006, making this year’s Awards – to be held in Townsville on November 10 - one of the most competitive ever.
“Each year, the Queensland Tourism Awards get bigger and better, reflecting high standards of excellence in all sectors of this diverse and important industry,” Ms Boyle said.
“The Gold Coast has the highest number of entries with 45, followed by Brisbane with 31, Cairns and Townsville both with 26, and the Whitsundays with 21.
“Entries have been received from all over Queensland, proving that no matter where you are in the Sunshine State, you don’t have to go far for a world-class tourism experience.
“Established tourism icons are well-represented and there are also plenty of new products that together maintain Queensland as a fresh and exciting destination.
“Well-known destinations are constantly launching new products to remain competitive and newer destinations are also investing in imaginative products to build their local industries.
“Ten operators are competing in the New Tourism Development category, including a theme park attraction, a Noosa eco-cruise, Sarina’s Sugar Shed, and the Great Tropical Drive. These entries show there’s plenty of energy and creativity in the industry.”
Ms Boyle said the Queensland Tourism Awards also highlighted the ‘behind the scenes’ initiatives that tourists didn’t see but which kept Queensland’s industry so vibrant.
“There are an impressive 19 entries in the Richard Power Award for Tourism Marketing and six in the Tourism Education and Training category. Success in these areas keeps our industry at the forefront of Australian and international tourism,” she said.
“The number, quality and diversity of entries also highlight the vast range of employment and investment opportunities tourism offers, from the small, family-run enterprises competing in the Hosted Accommodation category, to large, internationally-recognised companies represented in the Major Tourism Attractions category.
“The popularity of the festivals and events categories - with 19 entries - illustrates the importance of this sector, particularly in generating the tourism demand that stimulates infrastructure development in regional areas.
“I thank all entrants for their submissions and wish them well. The judges face a difficult job choosing finalists and winners from such an outstanding field.”
The Queensland Tourism Awards is organised by Tourism Queensland and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) which introduced a mentoring program for entrants this year.
QTIC Chief Executive Daniel Gschwind said preparing a Queensland Tourism Awards entry often proved to be a valuable business planning process for operators.
“This year, the QTIC asked previous Hall of Fame winners and Tourism Awards judges to guide operators and help them make the most of the entry process,” he said.
“The response was very positive and this was reflected in the high standards of submissions again this year.
“It’s great to see so many operators getting involved with the Queensland Tourism Awards. All entrants are great ambassadors for their industry and I wish them luck.”
The Queensland Tourism Awards 2007 is presented by the awards’ principal partner, Queensland Airports Limited, and will be held at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre on Saturday 10 November.
Tickets cost $180 per person and are available from www.queenslandtourismawards.com.au or by calling Melissa Webster on (07) 3535 5375 or emailing melissa.webster@tq.com.au.
Queensland Airports Limited owns and operates the Gold Coast, Townsville and Mount Isa airports, through which 5.3 million passengers passed in 2006.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 2004 or Danielle Koopman Tourism Queensland 0424 151 684
29 October 2007
Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Minister Desley Boyle said the number and quality of entrants had risen since 2006, making this year’s Awards – to be held in Townsville on November 10 - one of the most competitive ever.
“Each year, the Queensland Tourism Awards get bigger and better, reflecting high standards of excellence in all sectors of this diverse and important industry,” Ms Boyle said.
“The Gold Coast has the highest number of entries with 45, followed by Brisbane with 31, Cairns and Townsville both with 26, and the Whitsundays with 21.
“Entries have been received from all over Queensland, proving that no matter where you are in the Sunshine State, you don’t have to go far for a world-class tourism experience.
“Established tourism icons are well-represented and there are also plenty of new products that together maintain Queensland as a fresh and exciting destination.
“Well-known destinations are constantly launching new products to remain competitive and newer destinations are also investing in imaginative products to build their local industries.
“Ten operators are competing in the New Tourism Development category, including a theme park attraction, a Noosa eco-cruise, Sarina’s Sugar Shed, and the Great Tropical Drive. These entries show there’s plenty of energy and creativity in the industry.”
Ms Boyle said the Queensland Tourism Awards also highlighted the ‘behind the scenes’ initiatives that tourists didn’t see but which kept Queensland’s industry so vibrant.
“There are an impressive 19 entries in the Richard Power Award for Tourism Marketing and six in the Tourism Education and Training category. Success in these areas keeps our industry at the forefront of Australian and international tourism,” she said.
“The number, quality and diversity of entries also highlight the vast range of employment and investment opportunities tourism offers, from the small, family-run enterprises competing in the Hosted Accommodation category, to large, internationally-recognised companies represented in the Major Tourism Attractions category.
“The popularity of the festivals and events categories - with 19 entries - illustrates the importance of this sector, particularly in generating the tourism demand that stimulates infrastructure development in regional areas.
“I thank all entrants for their submissions and wish them well. The judges face a difficult job choosing finalists and winners from such an outstanding field.”
The Queensland Tourism Awards is organised by Tourism Queensland and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) which introduced a mentoring program for entrants this year.
QTIC Chief Executive Daniel Gschwind said preparing a Queensland Tourism Awards entry often proved to be a valuable business planning process for operators.
“This year, the QTIC asked previous Hall of Fame winners and Tourism Awards judges to guide operators and help them make the most of the entry process,” he said.
“The response was very positive and this was reflected in the high standards of submissions again this year.
“It’s great to see so many operators getting involved with the Queensland Tourism Awards. All entrants are great ambassadors for their industry and I wish them luck.”
The Queensland Tourism Awards 2007 is presented by the awards’ principal partner, Queensland Airports Limited, and will be held at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre on Saturday 10 November.
Tickets cost $180 per person and are available from www.queenslandtourismawards.com.au or by calling Melissa Webster on (07) 3535 5375 or emailing melissa.webster@tq.com.au.
Queensland Airports Limited owns and operates the Gold Coast, Townsville and Mount Isa airports, through which 5.3 million passengers passed in 2006.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 2004 or Danielle Koopman Tourism Queensland 0424 151 684
29 October 2007