Brisbane blitzes Qld Tourism Awards with 9 gongs

Brisbane tourism operators have set the state standard by winning more awards than any other region at the prestigious Queensland Tourism Awards, Tourism Minister Desley Boyle announced.

The 2008 awards were presented in a gala ceremony at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre this evening.

Brisbane’s nine winners were:
• Lillydale Host Farm (Hall of Fame) (Hosted Accommodation Award)
• 60th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race (Festivals & Events Award)
• The Workshops Rail Museum (Heritage & Cultural Tourism Award)
• Riverlife Mirrabooka (Indigenous Tourism Award)
• Brisbane Visitor Information and Booking Centre (Visitor Information & Services Award)
• The Lighthouse (Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services Award)
• Peppers Hidden Vale (Deluxe Accommodation Award)
• Emporium Hotel (Luxury Accommodation Award)
• Bree Kloda, Redland City Council (Young Achievers Award)

“This is a fantastic result for the local industry in Brisbane, particularly in view of strong competition from across the state this year with more than 200 entries,” Ms Boyle said.

“That the region has been honoured in such a range of categories is also exciting and I commend all operators for their efforts in what has been a challenging economic environment in recent times.”

Ms Boyle said both new enterprises and established businesses had been recognised pointing to the region’s increasingly diverse portfolio of tourism experiences.

“Lillydale Host Farm entered the Hall of Fame this evening, winning the hosted accommodation category for the third year running, while the Workshops Rail Museum has now won back-to-back heritage and cultural tourism awards, in addition to being named a 2008 finalist in the tourist attraction category,” she said.

“It was a great night for first-time entrants The Lighthouse restaurant and café at Moreton Bay and the chic new Emporium Hotel with wins in their hotly-contested categories.

“I also want to commend the efforts of this year’s young achiever award winner Bree Kloda, who has brought such passion, dedication and initiative to her current role as tourism development officer for Redland City Council, and previously, the RACQ.

“It’s this level of enthusiasm and a commitment to providing quality service and top-notch experiences which really epitomises what the awards, and indeed the tourism industry in Queensland, is all about.”

Ms Boyle also congratulated 11 other finalists from the Brisbane region, named for their outstanding achievements.

They were:

• Mt Barney Lodge Country Retreat (Steve Irwin Ecotourism Award)
• Port of Brisbane Visitors Centre (Visitor Information & Services)
• Brisbane Convention Bureau (Meetings & Business Tourism)
• Riverlife Adventure Centre (Adventure Tourism)
• Traveltrain Catering Unit (Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services)
• Queenslander Class on the Sunlander (Unique Accommodation)
• The Point Hotel (Deluxe Accommodation)
• Sofitel Brisbane (Luxury Accommodation)
• Scenic Rim View Cottages (Hosted Accommodation)
• Mt Cotton Guesthouse (Hosted Accommodation)
• Tangalooma Island Resort (Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism)

Brisbane’s Ghost Tours was also honoured with a judges’ commendation in the Heritage and Cultural Tourism category.

“I congratulate Tourism Queensland and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) for organising and hosting the 2008 Queensland Tourism Awards in such spectacular fashion,” Ms Boyle said.

“Thank you to our awards’ platinum sponsor Queensland Airports Limited for its generous support in presenting the 2008 awards.”

QTIC chief executive Daniel Gschwind said the awards' 13-member judging panel was impressed by entrants' high degree of professionalism and 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.

"The Awards remain 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, which recognises successful businesses whose operations conserve natural resources, respect local cultures and benefit neighbouring communities.

All Queensland Tourism Award winners will progress to the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards to be held in Melbourne on 27 February 2009.

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Media contact: Minister’s office 0419 025 326, Tourism Queensland 0424 151 684