Published Friday, 24 October, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Southern Downs operators vie for top tourism honours
Local accommodation providers Goomburra Forest Retreat and Azjure Studio Retreat are among 200 Queensland tourism products vying for top honours in this year’s Queensland Tourism Awards, Tourism Minister Desley Boyle announced today.
The 2008 Queensland Tourism Awards, presented by Queensland Airports Limited, will be held in Brisbane on November 14.
“As well as chasing the hosted accommodation category, the Goomburra Forest Retreat has entered the Steve Irwin Ecotourism Award, while Azjure Studio Retreat is contesting the deluxe accommodation gong,” Ms Boyle said.
“The Queensland Tourism Awards recognise and reward excellence, innovation and success in our industry while reinforcing the value of tourism to Queensland’s regions.
“From major tourist attractions and wineries to luxury retreats, quirky regional festivals and indigenous tours, the awards celebrate Queensland’s incredible range of tourism experiences and encourage new product and even higher standards.
“They also acknowledge the outstanding contribution of those working in the engine room of the industry in areas including visitor information services, business tourism, education and training, specialised tourism services and tourism marketing.”
Ms Boyle said visitor expenditure in Queensland last year surpassed $19 billion.
“More than 200,000 Queenslanders are employed in the tourism industry and over the past few years this has grown at twice the rate of the national average so we cannot underestimate the value of this industry to our state.” She said.
“Encouraging and promoting success and innovation in these areas is crucial if Queensland is to maintain its status as a global tourism leader.
“Competition at this year’s awards will be stiff with operators from tourism zones as diverse as Thursday Island and Mt Isa really stepping up!”
Ms Boyle congratulated the entrants for taking the time to nominate and wished them luck.
She also thanked the awards’ platinum sponsor - Queensland Airports Limited - and awards organisers Tourism Queensland and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council.
“I encourage Queensland’s tourism industry, whether you have entered or not, to support your friends and colleagues and come along to what is the tourism ‘Oscars’,” she said.
Tickets are available from www.queenslandtourismawards.com.au.
Further information:
Minister’s Office – ph 3225 1005 or 3224 2007
Tourism Queensland – ph 3535 5010
The 2008 Queensland Tourism Awards, presented by Queensland Airports Limited, will be held in Brisbane on November 14.
“As well as chasing the hosted accommodation category, the Goomburra Forest Retreat has entered the Steve Irwin Ecotourism Award, while Azjure Studio Retreat is contesting the deluxe accommodation gong,” Ms Boyle said.
“The Queensland Tourism Awards recognise and reward excellence, innovation and success in our industry while reinforcing the value of tourism to Queensland’s regions.
“From major tourist attractions and wineries to luxury retreats, quirky regional festivals and indigenous tours, the awards celebrate Queensland’s incredible range of tourism experiences and encourage new product and even higher standards.
“They also acknowledge the outstanding contribution of those working in the engine room of the industry in areas including visitor information services, business tourism, education and training, specialised tourism services and tourism marketing.”
Ms Boyle said visitor expenditure in Queensland last year surpassed $19 billion.
“More than 200,000 Queenslanders are employed in the tourism industry and over the past few years this has grown at twice the rate of the national average so we cannot underestimate the value of this industry to our state.” She said.
“Encouraging and promoting success and innovation in these areas is crucial if Queensland is to maintain its status as a global tourism leader.
“Competition at this year’s awards will be stiff with operators from tourism zones as diverse as Thursday Island and Mt Isa really stepping up!”
Ms Boyle congratulated the entrants for taking the time to nominate and wished them luck.
She also thanked the awards’ platinum sponsor - Queensland Airports Limited - and awards organisers Tourism Queensland and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council.
“I encourage Queensland’s tourism industry, whether you have entered or not, to support your friends and colleagues and come along to what is the tourism ‘Oscars’,” she said.
Tickets are available from www.queenslandtourismawards.com.au.
Further information:
Minister’s Office – ph 3225 1005 or 3224 2007
Tourism Queensland – ph 3535 5010