Australia Zoo wins again but it’s Brisbane’s night at QLD Tourism Awards: Boyle
Published Friday, 14 November, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Brisbane tourism operators have blitzed the prestigious Queensland Tourism Awards, presented by Queensland Airports Limited tonight, winning nine of the 29 categories Tourism Minister Desley Boyle announced.
Tropical North Queensland operators were also impressive receiving seven awards, with the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Townsville regions each taking out three.
Australia Zoo won the major tourist attraction award for the second year running while Sunshine Coast identity John Atkin was named winner of the Marie Watson-Blake Award for outstanding contribution by an individual.
“It’s been a wonderful night for Brisbane operators, particularly Lillydale Host Farm which was inducted into the Hall of Fame after a third straight win in the hosted accommodation category,” Ms Boyle said.
“Brisbane’s Bree Kloda was this year’s young achiever award winner, clearly impressing judges with the dedication and initiative she brings to her role as tourism development officer with Redland City Council.
“The Sunshine Coast also had reason to celebrate, snagging two major awards.
“Australia Zoo is now a hallmark destination and I congratulate Terri Irwin and her team on this tremendous win on the eve of Steve Irwin Day tomorrow.”
Ms Boyle also paid tribute to industry stalwart John Atkin who was honoured for his personal and professional achievements spanning more than 40 years.
“John has made an enormous contribution to Queensland tourism, both within the transport industry and in his 10 years’ involvement in the regional, state and national tourism awards,” she said.
“A director and life member of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC), he is passionate about regional tourism and an inspirational mentor to tomorrow’s industry leaders.”
Ms Boyle said Royal Pines Resort had stamped its mark as an events leader, winning the major event and business tourism gongs for the Gold Coast, as well as being named finalist in two other categories.
A strong showing from Queensland’s tropical north saw reef tour heavyweights Quicksilver Group also inducted into the awards’ Hall of Fame, with three consecutive wins in the major tour operator category.
“The Quicksilver Group was also awarded the Richard Power Award for Tourism Marketing while Skyrail Rainforest Cableway took home the inaugural Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism,” Ms Boyle said.
“Both enterprises continue to set the pace for operator excellence.
“Townsville can also be proud of its record this evening, with Magnetic Island’s Bungalow Bay Koala Village admitted to the awards’ Hall of Fame with a win in the backpacker accommodation category for the third year running.
“Townville’s Conlan family was also honoured, named winners of this year’s award for outstanding contribution by a volunteer or volunteer group.”
Ms Boyle commended all winners and finalists for their efforts in what has been a challenging economic environment in recent times.
“The awards showcase the best of our industry and it’s fantastic to see family-run enterprises recognised alongside more high-profile operators, and from across the Sunshine State,” she said.
“I congratulate Tourism Queensland and QTIC for organising and hosting the event in such spectacular fashion, and thank the platinum sponsor Queensland Airports Limited.”
QTIC chief executive Daniel Gschwind said the awards' 13-member judging panel was impressed by entrants' high degree of business acumen.
"In these tough economic times, it becomes more imperative than ever for tourism businesses to employ sound planning and rigorous self-assessment," Mr Gschwind said.
"These Awards remains one of the best tools to guide operators through this process, with business planning a key component of every entry. Competition was as strong as ever this year.”
Mr Gschwind also congratulated Qantas for its involvement in the new Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism.
The 2008 awards were presented in a gala ceremony at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre this evening.
All Queensland Tourism Award winners will progress to the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards to be held in Melbourne on 27 February 2009.
Ends
Minister’s office 0419 025 326, Tourism Queensland 0424 151 684
2008 Queensland Tourism Awards
1. Major Tourist Attractions - Australia Zoo - Sunshine Coast
2. Tourist Attractions - Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours - Tropical North Queensland
3. Major Festivals and Events - 2008 ANZ Ladies Masters - Gold Coast
4. Festivals and Events - 60th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race - Brisbane, Gladstone
5. Steve Irwin Ecotourism Award - Capricorn Caves - Capricorn
6. Heritage and Cultural Tourism - The Workshops Rail Museum - Brisbane
7. Indigenous Tourism - Riverlife Mirrabooka - Brisbane
8. Specialised Tourism Services - Rubyvale Gem Gallery- Capricorn
9. Visitor Information and Services - Brisbane Visitor Information & Booking Centre -Brisbane
10. Meetings and Business Tourism - Royal Pines Resort - Gold Coast
11. Major Tour and or Transport Operators - Quicksilver Group (HALL OF FAME) - Tropical North Queensland
12. Tour and or Transport Operators - The Discovery Group - Sunshine Coast
13. Adventure Tourism - Passions of Paradise - Tropical North Queensland
14. The Richard Power Award for Tourism Marketing - Quicksilver Group - Tropical North Queensland
15. Tourism Education and Training - Griffith University - Department of Tourism, Leisure, Hotel & Sport Management - Gold Coast
16. Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services - The Lighthouse - Brisbane
17. Tourism Wineries - Murdering Point Winery - Tropical North Queensland
18. Tourist and Caravan Parks - BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort - Whitsundays
19. Backpacker Accommodation - Bungalow Bay Koala Village (HALL OF FAME) - Townsville
20. Hosted Accommodation - Lillydale Host Farm (HALL OF FAME) - Brisbane
21. Unique Accommodation - Voyages Wrotham Park Lodge - Outback
22. Standard Accommodation - Noorla Heritage Resort - Townsville
23. Deluxe Accommodation - Peppers Hidden Vale - Brisbane
24. Luxury Accommodation - Emporium Hotel - Brisbane
25. New Tourism Development - Buchanan Park Events Complex - Outback
26. Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism - Skyrail Rainforest Cableway -Tropical North Queensland
27. The Marie Watson-Blake Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual
- John Atkin, The Falls - Sunshine Coast
28. Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer or Volunteer Group - Conlan Family Volunteers - Townsville
29. Young Achievers Award Bree Kloda - Redland City Council - Brisbane
Tropical North Queensland operators were also impressive receiving seven awards, with the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Townsville regions each taking out three.
Australia Zoo won the major tourist attraction award for the second year running while Sunshine Coast identity John Atkin was named winner of the Marie Watson-Blake Award for outstanding contribution by an individual.
“It’s been a wonderful night for Brisbane operators, particularly Lillydale Host Farm which was inducted into the Hall of Fame after a third straight win in the hosted accommodation category,” Ms Boyle said.
“Brisbane’s Bree Kloda was this year’s young achiever award winner, clearly impressing judges with the dedication and initiative she brings to her role as tourism development officer with Redland City Council.
“The Sunshine Coast also had reason to celebrate, snagging two major awards.
“Australia Zoo is now a hallmark destination and I congratulate Terri Irwin and her team on this tremendous win on the eve of Steve Irwin Day tomorrow.”
Ms Boyle also paid tribute to industry stalwart John Atkin who was honoured for his personal and professional achievements spanning more than 40 years.
“John has made an enormous contribution to Queensland tourism, both within the transport industry and in his 10 years’ involvement in the regional, state and national tourism awards,” she said.
“A director and life member of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC), he is passionate about regional tourism and an inspirational mentor to tomorrow’s industry leaders.”
Ms Boyle said Royal Pines Resort had stamped its mark as an events leader, winning the major event and business tourism gongs for the Gold Coast, as well as being named finalist in two other categories.
A strong showing from Queensland’s tropical north saw reef tour heavyweights Quicksilver Group also inducted into the awards’ Hall of Fame, with three consecutive wins in the major tour operator category.
“The Quicksilver Group was also awarded the Richard Power Award for Tourism Marketing while Skyrail Rainforest Cableway took home the inaugural Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism,” Ms Boyle said.
“Both enterprises continue to set the pace for operator excellence.
“Townsville can also be proud of its record this evening, with Magnetic Island’s Bungalow Bay Koala Village admitted to the awards’ Hall of Fame with a win in the backpacker accommodation category for the third year running.
“Townville’s Conlan family was also honoured, named winners of this year’s award for outstanding contribution by a volunteer or volunteer group.”
Ms Boyle commended all winners and finalists for their efforts in what has been a challenging economic environment in recent times.
“The awards showcase the best of our industry and it’s fantastic to see family-run enterprises recognised alongside more high-profile operators, and from across the Sunshine State,” she said.
“I congratulate Tourism Queensland and QTIC for organising and hosting the event in such spectacular fashion, and thank the platinum sponsor Queensland Airports Limited.”
QTIC chief executive Daniel Gschwind said the awards' 13-member judging panel was impressed by entrants' high degree of business acumen.
"In these tough economic times, it becomes more imperative than ever for tourism businesses to employ sound planning and rigorous self-assessment," Mr Gschwind said.
"These Awards remains one of the best tools to guide operators through this process, with business planning a key component of every entry. Competition was as strong as ever this year.”
Mr Gschwind also congratulated Qantas for its involvement in the new Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism.
The 2008 awards were presented in a gala ceremony at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre this evening.
All Queensland Tourism Award winners will progress to the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards to be held in Melbourne on 27 February 2009.
Ends
Minister’s office 0419 025 326, Tourism Queensland 0424 151 684
2008 Queensland Tourism Awards
1. Major Tourist Attractions - Australia Zoo - Sunshine Coast
2. Tourist Attractions - Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours - Tropical North Queensland
3. Major Festivals and Events - 2008 ANZ Ladies Masters - Gold Coast
4. Festivals and Events - 60th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race - Brisbane, Gladstone
5. Steve Irwin Ecotourism Award - Capricorn Caves - Capricorn
6. Heritage and Cultural Tourism - The Workshops Rail Museum - Brisbane
7. Indigenous Tourism - Riverlife Mirrabooka - Brisbane
8. Specialised Tourism Services - Rubyvale Gem Gallery- Capricorn
9. Visitor Information and Services - Brisbane Visitor Information & Booking Centre -Brisbane
10. Meetings and Business Tourism - Royal Pines Resort - Gold Coast
11. Major Tour and or Transport Operators - Quicksilver Group (HALL OF FAME) - Tropical North Queensland
12. Tour and or Transport Operators - The Discovery Group - Sunshine Coast
13. Adventure Tourism - Passions of Paradise - Tropical North Queensland
14. The Richard Power Award for Tourism Marketing - Quicksilver Group - Tropical North Queensland
15. Tourism Education and Training - Griffith University - Department of Tourism, Leisure, Hotel & Sport Management - Gold Coast
16. Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services - The Lighthouse - Brisbane
17. Tourism Wineries - Murdering Point Winery - Tropical North Queensland
18. Tourist and Caravan Parks - BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort - Whitsundays
19. Backpacker Accommodation - Bungalow Bay Koala Village (HALL OF FAME) - Townsville
20. Hosted Accommodation - Lillydale Host Farm (HALL OF FAME) - Brisbane
21. Unique Accommodation - Voyages Wrotham Park Lodge - Outback
22. Standard Accommodation - Noorla Heritage Resort - Townsville
23. Deluxe Accommodation - Peppers Hidden Vale - Brisbane
24. Luxury Accommodation - Emporium Hotel - Brisbane
25. New Tourism Development - Buchanan Park Events Complex - Outback
26. Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism - Skyrail Rainforest Cableway -Tropical North Queensland
27. The Marie Watson-Blake Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual
- John Atkin, The Falls - Sunshine Coast
28. Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer or Volunteer Group - Conlan Family Volunteers - Townsville
29. Young Achievers Award Bree Kloda - Redland City Council - Brisbane