Published Friday, 24 October, 2008 at 12:14 PM

Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
200 compete for top honours in 2008 Queensland Tourism Awards
What do jungle surfing, a 50-year-old Outback rodeo and a Peter Brock memorabilia experience have in common? They’re among more than 200 tourism enterprises vying for top honours at the Queensland Tourism Awards next month.
Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said the 2008 Queensland Tourism Awards, presented by Queensland Airports Ltd, would be held on Friday November 14 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
“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.
“Entries have been received from across the state, highlighting Queensland’s strength and diversity as a world-class tourism destination.
“From major tourist attractions and small B&Bs 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.
“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 Tropical North Queensland had topped the list of entries this year with an impressive 34 entries, followed by the Whitsundays with 31 entries, Brisbane with 28, the Gold Coast with 22, Townsville with 19, the Sunshine Coast with 15 and the Outback region contributing 11 entries.
“Queensland’s tourism regions are well-represented across a range of categories as operators take advantage of our natural, cultural and historical attractions with some really inventive products and events,” she 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.
“Encouraging and promoting success and innovation is crucial if Queensland is 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 ‘Oscars’ of the state tourism industry,” she said.
Tickets are available from www.queenslandtourismawards.com.au.
A list of all entries is available from Minister's office.
Further information:
Minister’s Office – ph 3225 1005 or 3224 2007
Tourism Queensland – ph 3535 5010
Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said the 2008 Queensland Tourism Awards, presented by Queensland Airports Ltd, would be held on Friday November 14 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
“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.
“Entries have been received from across the state, highlighting Queensland’s strength and diversity as a world-class tourism destination.
“From major tourist attractions and small B&Bs 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.
“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 Tropical North Queensland had topped the list of entries this year with an impressive 34 entries, followed by the Whitsundays with 31 entries, Brisbane with 28, the Gold Coast with 22, Townsville with 19, the Sunshine Coast with 15 and the Outback region contributing 11 entries.
“Queensland’s tourism regions are well-represented across a range of categories as operators take advantage of our natural, cultural and historical attractions with some really inventive products and events,” she 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.
“Encouraging and promoting success and innovation is crucial if Queensland is 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 ‘Oscars’ of the state tourism industry,” she said.
Tickets are available from www.queenslandtourismawards.com.au.
A list of all entries is available from Minister's office.
Further information:
Minister’s Office – ph 3225 1005 or 3224 2007
Tourism Queensland – ph 3535 5010