Sunshine Coast region wins three Qld Tourism Awards
Published Friday, 14 November, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
The Sunshine Coast region has won three categories at the prestigious Queensland Tourism Awards, presented by Queensland Airports Limited, Tourism Minister Desley Boyle announced.
The 2008 awards were presented in a gala ceremony at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre this evening.
Sunshine Coast winners were:
• Australia Zoo (Major Tourist Attractions Award)
• John Atkin (The Marie Watson-Blake Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual)
• The Discovery Group (Tour & Transport Operators Award)
Ms Boyle congratulated the team at Australia Zoo, which has now won back-to-back Queensland Tourism Awards in the competitive major tourist attraction category. The zoo was also named a finalist in the specialised tourism services category.
“This is a tremendous win for the Irwin family on the eve of Steve Irwin Day tomorrow,” Ms Boyle said.
“Now a hallmark destination in its own right and a must-see attraction for the region, Australia Zoo continues to set new standards in product innovation and development while staying true to its crusade for wildlife conservation and education.
Ms Boyle 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.
“As owner of the award-winning property The Falls Montville, he is passionate about regional tourism, serving as current deputy chairman of Tourism Sunshine Coast and immediate past president of the Blackall Range Business and Tourism Association.
“A current director and life member of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC), John is still to be found volunteering at his local visitor information centre on weekends!
“He is an inspirational tourism ambassador and great mentor to tomorrow’s industry leaders.”
Ms Boyle said the Discovery Group edged out a strong field from across the state to win the tour and transport operator category.
“With 30 years of expertise and a commitment to fostering environmental and cultural understanding, the group’s eco cruises and luxury 4WD adventure tours have enthralled thousands of visitors to the Sunshine Coast,” she said.
In addition to Australia Zoo, six other Sunshine Coast enterprises were also named as finalists for their outstanding achievements. They were:
• Sunshine Castle (Tourist Attractions)
• 2007 Cadbury Schweppes Australian PGA Championship (Major Festivals & Events)
• 2007 Noosa Triathlon Multi Sport Festival (25th Anniversary) (Major Festivals & Events)
• Noosa Visitor Information Centres (Visitor Information & Services)
• Tourism Noosa (The Richard Power Award for Tourism Marketing)
• Oceans Mooloolaba (Luxury Accommodation)
Equathon Horse Riding Tours and the Blackall Range Business and Tourism Association website were also honoured with a judges’ commendation in the adventure tourism and Richard Power Award for Tourism Marketing categories, respectively.
“This is a fantastic result for the local industry in the Sunshine Coast region, particularly in view of strong competition from across the state this year with more than 200 entries,” Ms Boyle said.
“All winners and finalists are to be commended for their efforts in what has been a challenging economic environment in recent times.
“I congratulate Tourism Queensland and QTIC for organising and hosting the 2008 Queensland Tourism Awards in such spectacular fashion.
“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 Queensland Tourism 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 and judges were pleased to see such high standards applied to submissions.”
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.
"Sustainability will continue to be a key concern for any tourism business, particularly for those Queensland destinations whose trade relies on credibility for environmental responsibility," he said.
All Queensland Tourism Award winners will progress to the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards to be held in Melbourne on 27 February 2009.
Ends
Media contact: Minister’s office 0419 025 326, Tourism Queensland 0424 151 684
The 2008 awards were presented in a gala ceremony at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre this evening.
Sunshine Coast winners were:
• Australia Zoo (Major Tourist Attractions Award)
• John Atkin (The Marie Watson-Blake Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual)
• The Discovery Group (Tour & Transport Operators Award)
Ms Boyle congratulated the team at Australia Zoo, which has now won back-to-back Queensland Tourism Awards in the competitive major tourist attraction category. The zoo was also named a finalist in the specialised tourism services category.
“This is a tremendous win for the Irwin family on the eve of Steve Irwin Day tomorrow,” Ms Boyle said.
“Now a hallmark destination in its own right and a must-see attraction for the region, Australia Zoo continues to set new standards in product innovation and development while staying true to its crusade for wildlife conservation and education.
Ms Boyle 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.
“As owner of the award-winning property The Falls Montville, he is passionate about regional tourism, serving as current deputy chairman of Tourism Sunshine Coast and immediate past president of the Blackall Range Business and Tourism Association.
“A current director and life member of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC), John is still to be found volunteering at his local visitor information centre on weekends!
“He is an inspirational tourism ambassador and great mentor to tomorrow’s industry leaders.”
Ms Boyle said the Discovery Group edged out a strong field from across the state to win the tour and transport operator category.
“With 30 years of expertise and a commitment to fostering environmental and cultural understanding, the group’s eco cruises and luxury 4WD adventure tours have enthralled thousands of visitors to the Sunshine Coast,” she said.
In addition to Australia Zoo, six other Sunshine Coast enterprises were also named as finalists for their outstanding achievements. They were:
• Sunshine Castle (Tourist Attractions)
• 2007 Cadbury Schweppes Australian PGA Championship (Major Festivals & Events)
• 2007 Noosa Triathlon Multi Sport Festival (25th Anniversary) (Major Festivals & Events)
• Noosa Visitor Information Centres (Visitor Information & Services)
• Tourism Noosa (The Richard Power Award for Tourism Marketing)
• Oceans Mooloolaba (Luxury Accommodation)
Equathon Horse Riding Tours and the Blackall Range Business and Tourism Association website were also honoured with a judges’ commendation in the adventure tourism and Richard Power Award for Tourism Marketing categories, respectively.
“This is a fantastic result for the local industry in the Sunshine Coast region, particularly in view of strong competition from across the state this year with more than 200 entries,” Ms Boyle said.
“All winners and finalists are to be commended for their efforts in what has been a challenging economic environment in recent times.
“I congratulate Tourism Queensland and QTIC for organising and hosting the 2008 Queensland Tourism Awards in such spectacular fashion.
“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 Queensland Tourism 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 and judges were pleased to see such high standards applied to submissions.”
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.
"Sustainability will continue to be a key concern for any tourism business, particularly for those Queensland destinations whose trade relies on credibility for environmental responsibility," he said.
All Queensland Tourism Award winners will progress to the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards to be held in Melbourne on 27 February 2009.
Ends
Media contact: Minister’s office 0419 025 326, Tourism Queensland 0424 151 684