Published Friday, 24 October, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Outback Queensland operators vie for top tourism honours
Seven operators from Queensland’s Outback will vie 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, with Queensland’s Outback entrants among more than 200 tourism enterprises seeking Queensland’s highest tourism accolades.
“The Queensland Tourism Awards recognise and reward excellence, innovation and success in our industry while reinforcing the value of tourism to Queensland’s regions,” Ms Boyle said.
“From major tourist attractions and farm stays to luxury Outback retreats, quirky 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.
“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.
“Encouraging and promoting success and innovation 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!”
Member for Mt Isa Betty Kiernan said Queensland’s Outback entrants for 2008 were: Outback at Isa, The Station Store, Julia Creek Dirt and Dust Festival, Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo Inc, Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, Outback Aussie Tours and Rodeo Capital.
“They will compete in seven of the 28 categories including new tourism developments, attractions, festivals and events,” Ms Kiernan said.
“These outback operators are great local ambassadors for the industry and I wish them the best of luck.
“Regardless of the outcome, they have done our region proud.”
Last year the Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo won the Festivals and Events category and Outback Aussie Tours won the Tour or Transport Operators Award.
Ms Boyle 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, with Queensland’s Outback entrants among more than 200 tourism enterprises seeking Queensland’s highest tourism accolades.
“The Queensland Tourism Awards recognise and reward excellence, innovation and success in our industry while reinforcing the value of tourism to Queensland’s regions,” Ms Boyle said.
“From major tourist attractions and farm stays to luxury Outback retreats, quirky 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.
“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.
“Encouraging and promoting success and innovation 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!”
Member for Mt Isa Betty Kiernan said Queensland’s Outback entrants for 2008 were: Outback at Isa, The Station Store, Julia Creek Dirt and Dust Festival, Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo Inc, Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, Outback Aussie Tours and Rodeo Capital.
“They will compete in seven of the 28 categories including new tourism developments, attractions, festivals and events,” Ms Kiernan said.
“These outback operators are great local ambassadors for the industry and I wish them the best of luck.
“Regardless of the outcome, they have done our region proud.”
Last year the Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo won the Festivals and Events category and Outback Aussie Tours won the Tour or Transport Operators Award.
Ms Boyle 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