Published Friday, 24 October, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Mackay operators vie for top tourism honours
The Sarina Sugar Shed and Coral Cay Resort Motor Inn are among 200 Queensland tourism operators vying for top honours at 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.
Last year the Sarina Sugar Shed made the finals for the New Tourism Development award.
“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 wineries to luxury 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.
“The Sarina Sugar Shed will be chasing both the tourist attraction and tour and/or transport operator gong, while Coral Cay Resort Motor Inn is contesting the deluxe accommodation category.
“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 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 number 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 is crucial if Queensland is to continue to maintain its status as a global tourism leader.”
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.
Last year the Sarina Sugar Shed made the finals for the New Tourism Development award.
“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 wineries to luxury 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.
“The Sarina Sugar Shed will be chasing both the tourist attraction and tour and/or transport operator gong, while Coral Cay Resort Motor Inn is contesting the deluxe accommodation category.
“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 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 number 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 is crucial if Queensland is to continue to maintain its status as a global tourism leader.”
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