Mackay operator makes finals at Queensland Tourism Awards

Published Saturday, 10 November, 2007 at 10:00 PM

Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle

The Sarina Sugar Shed made the finals of the prestigious 2007 Queensland Tourism Awards presented in Townsville tonight, Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said.

“The Sarina Sugar Shed competed in the hotly-contested New Tourism Development category,” she said.

“Queensland’s tourism industry thrives on new products that keep destinations fresh and exciting to visitors. Ten new products were entered in the New Tourism Development Category this year.

“As Australia’s only miniature sugar processing mill and distillery, the Sarina Sugar Shed offers visitors a unique and fascinating experience.

“Competition was particularly strong at this year’s Queensland Tourism Awards, with more than 200 entries received in 26 categories.

“The Queensland Tourism Awards showcase the best of Queensland tourism. All finalists and winners are to be congratulated on their outstanding achievements.”

Ms Boyle also congratulated Tourism Queensland and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) for their organisation of the Queensland Tourism Awards which were presented at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre.

“Thank you to the awards’ principal partner, Queensland Airports Limited for its generous support in presenting the Queensland Tourism Awards 2007,” she said.

QTIC Chief Executive Daniel Gschwind said the 13-member judging panel had a difficult task selecting winners and finalists in this year’s awards.

“The standards were high and competition was fierce which reveals the maturity and professionalism of Queensland’s tourism industry,” he said.

All Queensland Tourism Awards winners will progress to the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards to be presented in Canberra on Friday 29 February 2008.

Ends

Media contact: 3224 2004 or Danielle Koopman, Tourism Queensland: 0424 151 684
10 November 2007

2007 Queensland Tourism Award Winners

Category

Organisation

Event/Product Entered

Region

1Major Tourist Attractions

Australia Zoo

Australia Zoo

Sunshine Coast

2Tourist Attractions

Wildlife Enterprises

Billabong Sanctuary

Townsville

3Major Festivals & Events

Queensland Events Corporation

2006 Cadbury Schweppes Australian PGA Championship

Sunshine Coast

4Festivals & Events

Mt Isa Rotary Rodeo Inc

Mt Isa Rotary Rodeo

Outback

5The Steve Irwin Ecotourism Award

Daintree Discovery Centre

Daintree Discovery Centre

Tropical North Qld

6Heritage & Cultural Tourism

The Workshops Rail Museum

The Workshops Rail Museum

Brisbane

7Indigenous Tourism

Torres Strait Regional Authority

Gab Titui Cultural Centre

Tropical North Qld

8Specialised Tourism Services

Rubyvale Gem Gallery

Rubyvale Gem Gallery

Capricorn

9Visitor Information & Services

Gold Coast Tourism Corporation Ltd

Gold Coast Information & Booking Centre Coolangatta

Gold Coast

10Meetings & Business Tourism

Hamilton Island

Hamilton Island Conventions

Whitsundays

11Major Tour or Transport Operators

Quicksilver Group of Companies

Quicksilver Group of Companies

Tropical North Qld

12Tour or Transport Operators

Outback Aussie Tours

Outback Aussie Tours

Outback

13Adventure Tourism

Passions of Paradise

Passions of Paradise

Tropical North Qld

14The Richard Power Award for Tourism Marketing

Tourism Noosa

Tourism Noosa

Sunshine Coast

15Tourism Education & Training

James Cook University

James Cook University

Townsville

16Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services

Spirit House Restaurant & Cooking School

Spirit House Restaurant & Cooking School

Sunshine Coast

17Tourism Wineries

Gecko Valley

Gecko Valley

Gladstone

18Tourist & Caravan Parks

Cairns Coconut Caravan Resort

Cairns Coconut Caravan Resort

Tropical North Qld

19Backpacker Accommodation

Wildlife Enterprises

Bungalow Bay Koala Village

Townsville

20Hosted Accommodation

Lillydale Host Farm

Lillydale Host Farm

Gold Coast

21Unique Accommodation

QR’s Traveltrain Holidays

Queenslander Class on the Sunlander

Brisbane

22Standard Accommodation

Noorla Heritage Resort

Noorla Heritage Resort

Townsville

23Deluxe Accommodation

Turtle Beach Resort

Turtle Beach Resort

Gold Coast

24Luxury Accommodation

Peppers Spicers Peak Lodge

Peppers Spicers Peak Lodge

Gold Coast

25New Tourism Development

Tourism Tropical North Queensland & Townsville Enterprise

Great Tropical Drive

Tropical North Qld & Townsville

26The Marie Watson-Blake Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual

John Menzies

Chief Executive Officer

Warner Village Theme Parks

27Hall of Fame

Torres Strait Regional Authority – Gab Titui Cultural Centre

Spirit House Restaurant & Cooking School

The Directions Awards for encouragement

Tourist Attractions

Bundaberg Rum Bondstore (Bundaberg)

Specialised Tourism Services

Bundaberg Rum Bondstore (Bundaberg)

Tour & Transport Operators

Hervey Bay Whale Watch (Fraser Coast)

Hosted Accommodation

The Mouses House (Gold Coast)

Deluxe Accommodation

The Point Brisbane (Brisbane)

Luxury Accommodation

Royal Woods Resort (Gold Coast)

New Tourism Development

ChannelWhitsunday.com (Whitsundays)