Townsville honoured with three Queensland Tourism Awards
Published Friday, 14 November, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Townsville tourism operators and volunteers have 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.
Townsville winners were:
• Bungalow Bay Koala Village (Hall of Fame) (Backpacker Accommodation Award)
• Noorla Heritage Resort (Standard Accommodation Award)
• Conlan Family Volunteers (Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer or Volunteer Group Award)
“This is a fantastic result for the local industry in the Townsville region, 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 a range of categories is testimony to the depth of the area’s tourism product and I commend all operators for their efforts in what has been a challenging economic environment in recent times.”
Ms Boyle paid special tribute to Bungalow Bay Koala Village, which was admitted to the Queensland Tourism Awards Hall of Fame with a third consecutive win in the backpacker accommodation category.
“This is a very deserving honour for Brett and Janelle Flemming, whose commitment to preserving the local environment while providing a very special visitor experience also saw them named as Australia’s best backpacker resort in February,” she said.
“It’s been a great year for Ingham’s Noorla Heritage Resort, which has again taken out the standard accommodation category at this year’s state awards, as well as being named Australia’s best earlier in the year.
“From camping to conferences, hotel rooms to high teas, Joe Sproats and Jennie Ginger offer a unique experience for visitors looking for authentic Queensland hospitality in lovely surrounds.”
Ms Boyle also praised the efforts of Townville’s Conlan family, named as winners of this year’s award for outstanding contribution by a volunteer or volunteer group.
“Les and Dawn Conlan, along with their daughter Sandra and grandson Karl, have been volunteering at the Townsville Enterprise Visitor Information Centre for a combined total of 50 years!
“Countless visitors to Townsville have no doubt benefitted from their enthusiasm and expertise, along with community groups including the Guide Dogs and Heart Foundation with whom they also give of their time so generously.
“The Conlan family deserves every accolade for serving the region with such passion and dedication; they are truly inspirational ambassadors for our industry.”
Eight finalists from the Townsville region were also named for their outstanding achievements. They were:
• Reef HQ Aquarium (Tourist Attractions)
• Museum of Tropical Queensland (Heritage & Cultural Tourism)
• Hidden Valley Cabins (Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism & Hosted Accommodation)
• Summit Motel (Standard Accommodation)
• Cardwell Rainforest and Reef Visitor Information Centre (Visitor Information & Services)
• Townsville Enterprise Visitor Information Centres (Visitor Information & Services)
• Adrenalin Dive (Tour & Transport Operators)
• James Cook University (Tourism Education & Training)
“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 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.
Townsville winners were:
• Bungalow Bay Koala Village (Hall of Fame) (Backpacker Accommodation Award)
• Noorla Heritage Resort (Standard Accommodation Award)
• Conlan Family Volunteers (Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer or Volunteer Group Award)
“This is a fantastic result for the local industry in the Townsville region, 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 a range of categories is testimony to the depth of the area’s tourism product and I commend all operators for their efforts in what has been a challenging economic environment in recent times.”
Ms Boyle paid special tribute to Bungalow Bay Koala Village, which was admitted to the Queensland Tourism Awards Hall of Fame with a third consecutive win in the backpacker accommodation category.
“This is a very deserving honour for Brett and Janelle Flemming, whose commitment to preserving the local environment while providing a very special visitor experience also saw them named as Australia’s best backpacker resort in February,” she said.
“It’s been a great year for Ingham’s Noorla Heritage Resort, which has again taken out the standard accommodation category at this year’s state awards, as well as being named Australia’s best earlier in the year.
“From camping to conferences, hotel rooms to high teas, Joe Sproats and Jennie Ginger offer a unique experience for visitors looking for authentic Queensland hospitality in lovely surrounds.”
Ms Boyle also praised the efforts of Townville’s Conlan family, named as winners of this year’s award for outstanding contribution by a volunteer or volunteer group.
“Les and Dawn Conlan, along with their daughter Sandra and grandson Karl, have been volunteering at the Townsville Enterprise Visitor Information Centre for a combined total of 50 years!
“Countless visitors to Townsville have no doubt benefitted from their enthusiasm and expertise, along with community groups including the Guide Dogs and Heart Foundation with whom they also give of their time so generously.
“The Conlan family deserves every accolade for serving the region with such passion and dedication; they are truly inspirational ambassadors for our industry.”
Eight finalists from the Townsville region were also named for their outstanding achievements. They were:
• Reef HQ Aquarium (Tourist Attractions)
• Museum of Tropical Queensland (Heritage & Cultural Tourism)
• Hidden Valley Cabins (Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism & Hosted Accommodation)
• Summit Motel (Standard Accommodation)
• Cardwell Rainforest and Reef Visitor Information Centre (Visitor Information & Services)
• Townsville Enterprise Visitor Information Centres (Visitor Information & Services)
• Adrenalin Dive (Tour & Transport Operators)
• James Cook University (Tourism Education & Training)
“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 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